Oppositus

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Describing something that is positioned or placed directly across from another
2. characterizing a relation of direct contrast between entities
3. indicating an arrangement where two elements face each other or are on opposing sides

Etymology: Latin "oppositus" is the past participle of "opponere," which means "to place against" or "to set in the way." It combines "ob" ("against" or "in front of") with "ponere" ("to put"). The original idea was physical: something set down in front of something else, like a barrier or a shield raised to block a blow. The sense of contrast grew out of that picture, since things placed face to face naturally stand in opposition. English "opposite" comes from this participle through Old French and entered English in the Middle Ages. It first described things standing across from one another before it came to describe ideas or qualities that are the reverse of each other. The same root gave English "oppose" and "opposition," so the image of two things set against each other still sits beneath all of them.

Synonyms: opposite, contrary, antithetical

Antonyms: same, identical, similar