See Also: oppose(medicine)
oppose(dictionary)
oppose(dictionary)

oppose (iou)



oppose verb. LME.
[Old & mod. French opposer based on Latin opponere (see OPPONE, OPPONENT), but re-formed on Latin oppositus (pa. pple of opponere) and Old & mod. French poser: see POSE verb1.]
I. verb trans. Confront with objections or hard questions; examine, interrogate; = APPOSE verb1 1. LME-E17.
verb intrans. Put objections or hard questions; spec. put forward objections to be answered by a person maintaining a philosophical or theological thesis, esp. as a means of qualifying for a degree etc. obsolete exc. Hist. LME.
verb trans. Examine as to accounts; audit; = APPOSE verb1 2. rare. Only in L15.
II.
verb trans. Set oneself against (a person or thing); fight or argue against; resist, combat; stand in the way of, obstruct. LME.
L. Namier Osbaldston, previously a follower of Fox, now openly opposed him. Observer Opposing false reporting is a huge duty still facing us.
b. verb refl. & intrans. Fight or contend against; be hostile, act in resistance, to. Long arch. L16.
verb trans. Set (a thing) against another thing by way of resistance; place as an obstacle. Also, set (a person) up as an antagonist. Usu. foll. by to. L16.
verb trans. Place or position directly before or in front. Usu. foll. by to. L16.
b. Expose, subject, (to). Long rare or obsolete. L16.
verb trans. Set (a thing) against or on the other side of another thing, as a balance or contrast; contrast; put in opposition. Usu. foll. by to. L16.
E. Newman Opposing the probity and sobriety of his black costume to the gangster black of Barbetta.
verb trans. Look towards, face. Now rare. E17.
verb trans. Bring (a digit, esp. the thumb) into a position opposite another digit on the same hand (or foot), so that the pads may be pressed together, or so that an object may be gripped. (Foll. by to.) M19.
opposeless adjective (poet. & rhet.) not to be opposed; irresistible: E17.