oppos

a. 1. Capable of being opposed or resisted. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Capable of being placed opposite something else; as, the thumb is opposable to the forefinger. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Opposition. [ R. ] Sir T. Herbert. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 Webster ]

Her grace sat down . . .
In a rich chair of state; opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail; to set against; to offer antagonistically. [ 1913 Webster ]

I may . . . oppose my single opinion to his. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against; to confront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in battle; to oppose a bill in Congress. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To compete with; to strive against; as, to oppose a rival for a prize. [ 1913 Webster ]

I am . . . too weak
To oppose your cunning. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- To combat; withstand; contradict; deny; gainsay; oppugn; contravene; check; obstruct. [ 1913 Webster ]

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 controversy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Not to be effectually opposed; irresistible. [ Obs. ] “Your great opposeless wills.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist; an adversary. [ 1913 Webster ]

/mhw> adj. 1. characterized by active opposition; as, two bitterly opposing schools of thought.
Syn. -- antagonistic, antipathetic, antipathetical, opponent. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

2. acting in opposition to; as, the opposing sector of the same muscle group. [ WordNet 1.5 ]

n. 1. One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The opposites of this day's strife. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. That which is opposed or contrary in character or meaning; as, sweetness and its opposite; up is the opposite of down. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other. Landor. [ 1913 Webster ]

polar opposite that which is conspicuously different in most important respects. [ PJC ]