oppose

oppose
\ \ [14] Oppose is in origin an Old French re-formation of Latin oppōnere, based on poser (source of English pose). Oppōnere was a compound verb formed from the prefix ob- ‘against’ and pōnereput’ (source also of English position, posture, etc). It originally meant literally ‘set against’, but developed various figurative senses, including ‘oppose in argument’, which is how it was originally used when it arrived in English. The notions of ‘contention’ and ‘prevention’ have remained uppermost in the English verb, as they have in opponent [16], which comes from the present participle of the Latin verb. But opposite [14] (from the Latin past participle) retains another metaphorical strand that began in Latin, of ‘comparison’ or ‘contrast’.
\ \ Cf.POSE, POSITION, POSTURE

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • opposé — opposé, ée [ ɔpoze ] adj. et n. m. • 1549; de opposer 1 ♦ Se dit (au plur.) de choses situées de part et d autre et plus ou moins loin d un axe réel ou imaginaire et qui sont orientées face à face, dos à dos (⇒ symétrique); se dit (au sing.) d… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • opposé — opposé, ée (o pô zé, zée) part. passé d opposer. 1°   Placé vis à vis. Les deux rives opposées. •   Leur troupe sanguinaire Marche en ce même instant au rivage opposé, VOLT. Triumv. II, 4. •   Les deux pyramides [représentées par les rayons… …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • opposé — Opposé, [oppos]ée. part. Il a les significations de son verbe. Deux armées opposées l une à l autre. deux rivages opposez, directement opposez. le signe de Libra est opposé à celuy d Aries. On appelle en termes d Astronomie, Aspects opposez, Les… …   Dictionnaire de l'Académie française

  • Oppose — Op*pose , v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Opposed}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Opposing}.] [F. opposer. See {Ob }, {Pose}, and cf.2d {Appose}, {Puzzle}, n. Cf.L. opponere, oppositum.] 1. To place in front of, or over against; to set opposite; to exhibit. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • oppose — op‧pose [əˈpəʊz ǁ əˈpoʊz] verb [transitive] to disagree with a plan or idea and try to prevent it from happening: • Three members of the board opposed the motion. • Several leading City investors had opposed the Bank of England s proposals. * * * …   Financial and business terms

  • Oppose — Opposé Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. En mathématique, l opposé d’un nombre est le nombre tel que, lorsqu’il est à ajouté à n donne zéro. En botanique, les organes d une plante sont… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • oppose — I verb act in opposition to, argue against, balk, battle, be at cross purposes, be contrary to, block, buck, challenge, collide, combat, come in conflict with, confront, confute, contend, contest, contradict, contravene, controvert, counter,… …   Law dictionary

  • oppose — (v.) late 14c., from O.Fr. opposer, from O.Fr. poser to place, lay down (see POSE (Cf. pose) (v.1)), blended with L. opponere oppose, object to, set against (see OPPONENT (Cf. opponent)). Related: Opposed; opposing …   Etymology dictionary

  • oppose — [v1] fight, obstruct argue, assail, assault, attack, bar, battle, bombard, call in question, check, combat, confront, contradict, controvert, counter, counterattack, cross, debate, defy, deny, disagree, disapprove, dispute, encounter, ex pose,… …   New thesaurus

  • Oppose — Op*pose ([o^]p*p[=o]z ), v. i. 1. To be set opposite. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To act adversely or in opposition; with against or to; as, a servant opposed against the act. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. To make objection or opposition in… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • oppose — contest, fight, combat, conflict, antagonize, *resist, withstand Analogous words: *contend, fight, battle, war: *attack, assail, assault, storm, bombard: *defend, protect, shield, guard, safeguard …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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