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Webster 1913 Edition


Adversary

Adˊver-sa-ry

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Adversaries
.
[OE.
adversarie
, direct fr. the Latin, and
adversaire
, fr. OF.
adversier
,
aversier
, fr. L.
adversarius
(a.) turned toward, (n.) an adversary. See
Adverse
.]
One who is turned against another or others with a design to oppose or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.
His ancient knot of dangerous
adversaries
.
Shakespeare
Agree with thine
adversary
quickly.
Matt. v. 25.
It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of truth is to dispute without an
adversary
.
Beattie.
The Adversary
,
The Satan, or the Devil.
Enemy is the only one of these words which necessarily implies a state of personal hostility. Men may be adversaries, antagonists, or opponents to each other in certain respects, and yet have no feelings of general animosity. An adversary may be simply one who is placed for a time in a hostile position, as in a lawsuit, an argument, in chess playing, or at fence. An opponent is one who is ranged against another (perhaps passively) on the opposing side; as a political opponent, an opponent in debate. An antagonist is one who struggles against another with active effort, either in a literal fight or in verbal debate.

Ad′ver-sa-ry

,
Adj.
1.
Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic.
[Archaic]
Bp. King.
2.
(Law)
Having an opposing party; not unopposed;
as, an
adversary
suit
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Adversary

AD'VERSARY

,
Noun.
[See Adverse.]
1.
An enemy or foe; one who has enmity at heart.
The Lord shall take vengeance on his adversaries. Nah. 1.
In scripture, Satan is called THE adversary, by way of eminence. 1Peter 5.
2.
An opponent or antagonist, as in a suit at law, or in single combat; an opposing litigant.

AD'VERSARY

,
Adj.
Opposed; opposite to; adverse. In law, having an opposing party, as an adversary suit; in distinction from an application, in law or equity, to which no opposition is made.

Definition 2024


Adversary

Adversary

See also: adversary

English

Proper noun

Adversary

  1. (religion, Christianity) The Devil; Satan.
    • 1998, Daniel Isaac Block, The Book of Ezekiel: Chapters 25-48,
      Yahweh′s turning Gog around, putting hooks in his jaws, and bringing him out from the remotest parts of the north (Ezek. 38:4-6) is now interpreted as the release of the Adversary from prison.

Synonyms

  • (the Devil): Satan (Christianity, Judaism), Shaitan (Islam); more at Satan

Translations

References

  1. 1759, Oxford standard text, Bible (King James), Job, 31, xxxv — Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.
  2. 1759, Oxford standard text, Bible (King James), 1 Peter, 5, viii — Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

adversary

adversary

See also: Adversary

English

Noun

adversary (plural adversaries)

  1. An opponent or rival.

Derived terms

Related terms

Translations

References

  1. Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary
  2. According to UK audio file in Longman Exams Dictionary, even though IPA given in dictionary is /ˈæd.və.s(ə)ɹiː/