opposite: Meaning and Definition of

op•po•site

Pronunciation: (op'u-zit, -sit), [key]
— adj.
  1. situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing: opposite ends of a room.
  2. contrary or radically different in some respect common to both, as in nature, qualities, direction, result, or significance; opposed: opposite sides in a controversy; opposite directions.
    1. situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
    2. having one organ vertically above another; superimposed.
  3. adverse or inimical.
—n.
  1. a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.
  2. an antonym.
  3. an opponent; antagonist.
—prep.
  1. across from; facing: The guest of honor sat opposite me at the banquet.
  2. in a role parallel or complementary to: He has played opposite many leading ladies.
—adv.
  1. on opposite sides.
  2. on the opposite side: I was at one end and she sat opposite.
  3. to the opposite side; in the opposite direction: I went to the left balcony, and he went opposite.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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