ˈɔpəzɪt adj., n., adv., &
prep. --adj. 1 (often foll. by to) having a
position on
the other or
further side,
facing or
back to back. 2 (often foll. by
to, from) a of a
contrary kind; diametrically
different. b
being the other of a contrasted
pair. 3 (of angles)
between opposite sides of the
intersection of
two lines. 4
Bot. (of
leaves etc.) placed at the
same height on the opposite sides of the stem, or placed
straight in
front of
another organ. --n. an opposite
thing or
person or
term. --adv. 1 in an opposite position (the
tree stands opposite). 2 (of a leading
theatrical etc. part) in a
complementary role to (another performer). --prep. in a position opposite to (opposite the
house is a tree). øopposite
number a person
holding an
equivalent position in another
group or
organization. opposite
prompt the side of a
theatre stage usually to an actor's
right. the opposite
sex women in
relation to
men or vice versa. øøoppositely adv. oppositeness n. [ME f. OF f. L oppositus
past part. of opponere: see OPPONENT]
