Chapter 1068

How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced moderator! Dr. H. More.

Syn. -- Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary .

Opportune <Xpage=1006>

Op`por*tune" (?) , a. [F. opporiun , L. opportunus , lit., at or before the port; ob (see Ob- ) + a derivative of portus port, harbor. See Port harbor.] Convenient; ready; hence, seasonable; timely.

Milton.

This is most opportune to our need. Shak.

-- Op`por*tune"ly , adv. -- Op`por*tune"ness , n.

Opportune <Xpage=1006>

Op`por*tune" , v. t. To suit. [Obs.]

Dr. Clerke(1637).

Opportunism <Xpage=1006>

Op`por*tun"ism (?) , n. [Cf. F. opportunisme .] The art or practice of taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking immediate advantage with little regard for ultimate consequences. [Recent]

Opportunist <Xpage=1006>

Op`por*tun"ist , n. [Cf. F. opportuniste .] One who advocates or practices opportunism. [Recent]

Opportunity <Xpage=1006>

Op`por*tu"ni*ty (?) , n. ; pl. Opportunities (#) . [F. opportunit\'82 , L. opportunitas . See Opportune .] 1. Fit or convenient time; a time or place favorable for executing a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions; suitable occasion; chance.

A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Bacon.

2. Convenience of situation; fitness. [Obs.]

Hull, a town of great strength and opportunity , both to sea and land affairs. Milton.

3. Importunity; earnestness. [Obs.]

Jer. Taylor.

Syn. -- Occasion; convenience; occurrence. -- Opportunity , Occasion . An occasion is that which falls in our way, or presents itself in the course of events; an opportunity is a convenience or fitness of time, place, etc., for the doing of a thing. Hence, occasions often make opportunities . The occasion of sickness may give opportunity for reflection.

Opposability <Xpage=1006>

Op*pos`a*bil"i*ty (?) , n. The condition or quality of being opposable.

In no savage have I ever seen the slightest approach to opposability of the great toe, which is the essential distinguishing feature of apes. A. R. Wallace.

Opposable <Xpage=1006>

Op*pos"a*ble (?) , a. 1. Capable of being opposed or resisted.

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

Opposal <Xpage=1006>

Op*pos"al (?) , n. Opposition. [R.]

Sir T. Herbert.

Oppose <Xpage=1006>

Op*pose" (?) , 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.

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

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

I may . . . oppose my single opinion to his. Locke.

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.

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

I am . . . too weak To oppose your cunning. Shak.

Syn. -- To combat; withstand; contradict; deny; gainsay; oppugn; contravene; check; obstruct.

<page="1007"> Page 1007

Oppose <Xpage=1007>

Op*pose" (?) , v. i. 1. To be set opposite.

Shak.

2. To act adversely or in opposition; -- with against or to ; as, a servant opposed against the act . [Obs.]

Shak.

3. To make objection or opposition in controversy.

Opposeless <Xpage=1007>

Op*pose"less , a. Not to be effectually opposed; irresistible. [Obs.] "Your great opposeless wills."

Shak.

Opposer <Xpage=1007>

Op*pos"er (?) , n. One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist; an adversary.

Opposite <Xpage=1007>

Op"po*site (?) , a. [F., fr. L. oppositus , p. p. of opponere . See Opponent .] 1. Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; -- often with to ; as, a house opposite to the Exchange .

2. Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme.

3. Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.

Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem. Dryden.

Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite , significations. Locke.

4. (Bot.) (a) Set over against each other, but separated by the whole diameter of the stem, as two leaves at the same node. (b) Placed directly in front of another part or organ, as a stamen which stands before a petal.

Opposite <Xpage=1007>

Op"po*site , n. 1. One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. [Obs.]

The opposites of this day's strife. Shak.

2. That which is opposed or contrary; as, sweetness and its opposite .

The virtuous man meets with more opposites and opponents than any other. Landor.

Oppositely <Xpage=1007>

Op"po*site*ly , adv. In a situation to face each other; in an opposite manner or direction; adversely.

Winds from all quarters oppositely blow. May.

Oppositeness <Xpage=1007>

Op"po*site*ness , n. The quality or state of being opposite.

Oppositifolious <Xpage=1007>

Op*pos`i*ti*fo"li*ous (?) , a. [See Opposite , Folious .] (Bot.) Placed at the same node with a leaf, but separated from it by the whole diameter of the stem; as, an oppositifolious peduncle .

Opposition <Xpage=1007>

Op`po*si"tion (?) , n. [F., fr. L. oppositio . See Opposite .] 1. The act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or defeat; resistance.

The counterpoise of so great an opposition . Shak.

Virtue which breaks through all opposition . Milton.

2. The state of being placed over against; situation so as to front something else.

Milton.

3. Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy.

Shak.

4. That which opposes; an obstacle; specifically, the aggregate of persons or things opposing; hence, in politics and parliamentary practice, the party opposed to the party in power.

5. (Astron.) The situation of a heavenly body with respect to another when in the part of the heavens directly opposite to it; especially, the position of a planet or satellite when its longitude differs from that of the sun 180&deg;; -- signified by the symbol <?/; as, <?/ <Jupiter/ <Sun/, opposition of Jupiter to the sun .

6. (Logic) The relation between two propositions when, having the same subject and predicate, they differ in quantity, or in quality, or in both; or between two propositions which have the same matter but a different form.

Oppositionist <Xpage=1007>

Op`po*si"tion*ist , n. One who belongs to the opposition party.

Praed.

Oppositipetalous <Xpage=1007>

Op*pos`i*ti*pet"al*ous (?) , a. [See Opposite , and Petal .] (Bot.) Placed in front of a petal.

Oppositisepalous <Xpage=1007>

Op*pos`i*ti*sep"al*ous (?) , a. [See Opposite , and Sepal .] (Bot.) Placed in front of a sepal.

Oppositive <Xpage=1007>

Op*pos`i*tive (?) , a. [Cf. F. oppositif . See Opposite .] Capable of being put in opposition.

Bp. Hall.

Oppress <Xpage=1007>

Op*press" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Oppressed (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Oppressing .] [F. oppresser , LL. oppressare , fr. L. oppressus , p. p. of opprimere ; ob (see Ob- ) + premere to press. See Press .] 1. To impose excessive burdens upon; to overload; hence, to treat with unjust rigor or with cruelty.

Wyclif.

For thee, oppress\'8ad king, am I cast down. Shak.

Behold the kings of the earth; how they oppress Thy chosen ! Milton.

2. To ravish; to violate. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

3. To put down; to crush out; to suppress. [Obs.]

The mutiny he there hastes to oppress . Shak.

4. To produce a sensation of weight in (some part of the body); as, my lungs are oppressed by the damp air; excess of food oppresses the stomach .

Oppression <Xpage=1007>

Op*pres"sion (?) , n. [F., fr. L. oppressio .]

1. The act of oppressing, or state of being oppressed.

2. That which oppresses; a hardship or injustice; cruelty; severity; tyranny. "The multitude of oppressions ."

Job xxxv. 9.

3. A sense of heaviness or obstruction in the body or mind; depression; dullness; lassitude; as, an oppression of spirits; an oppression of the lungs.

There gentlee Sleep First found me, and with soft oppression seized My drowsed sense. Milton.

4. Ravishment; rape. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Oppressive <Xpage=1007>

Op*press"ive (?) , a. [Cf. F. oppressif .]

1. Unreasonably burdensome; unjustly severe, rigorous, or harsh; as, oppressive taxes; oppressive exactions of service; an oppressive game law.

Macaulay.

2. Using oppression; tyrannical; as, oppressive authority or commands .

3. Heavy; overpowering; hard to be borne; as, oppressive grief or woe .

To ease the soul of one oppressive weight. Pope.

-- Op*press"ive*ly , adv. -- Op*press"ive*ness , n.

Oppressor <Xpage=1007>

Op*press"or (?) , n. [L.] One who oppresses; one who imposes unjust burdens on others; one who harasses others with unjust laws or unreasonable severity.

The orphan pines while the oppressor feeds. Shak.

To relieve the oppressed and to punish the oppressor . Swift.

Oppressure <Xpage=1007>

Op*pres"sure (?) , n. Oppression. [Obs.]

Opprobrious <Xpage=1007>

Op*pro"bri*ous (?) , a. [L. opprobriosus , fr. opprobrium . See Opprobrium .] 1. Expressive of opprobrium; attaching disgrace; reproachful; scurrilous; as, opprobrious language .

They . . . vindicate themselves in terms no less opprobrious than those by which they are attacked. Addison.

2. Infamous; despised; rendered hateful; as, an opprobrious name .

This dark, opprobrious den of shame. Milton.

-- Op*pro"bri*ous*ly , adv. -- Op*pro"bri*ous*ness , n.

Opprobrium <Xpage=1007>

Op*pro"bri*um (?) , n. [L., fr. ob (see Ob- ) + probrum reproach, disgrace.] Disgrace; infamy; reproach mingled with contempt; abusive language.

Being both dramatic author and dramatic performer, he found himself heir to a twofold opprobrium . De Quincey.

Opprobry <Xpage=1007>

Op*pro"bry (?) , n. Opprobrium. [Obs.]

Johnson.

Oppugn <Xpage=1007>

Op*pugn" (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Oppugned (?) ; p pr. & vb. n. Oppugning .] [OF. oppugner , L. oppugnare ; ob (see Ob- ) + pugnare to fight. See Impugn .] To fight against; to attack; to be in conflict with; to oppose; to resist.

They said the manner of their impeachment they could not but conceive did oppugn the rights of Parliament. Clarendon.

Oppugnancy <Xpage=1007>

Op*pug"nan*cy (?) , n. [See Oppugnant .] The act of oppugning; opposition; resistance.

Shak.

Oppugnant <Xpage=1007>

Op*pug"nant (?) , a. [L. oppugnans , p. pr. of oppugnare . See Oppugn .] Tending to awaken hostility; hostile; opposing; warring. " Oppugnant forces." I. Taylor . -- n. An opponent. [R.] Coleridge .

Oppugnation <Xpage=1007>

Op`pug*na"tion (?) , n. [L. oppugnatio : cf. OF. oppugnation .] Opposition. [R.]

Bp. Hall.

Oppugner <Xpage=1007>

Op*pugn"er (?) , n. One who opposes or attacks; that which opposes.

Selden.

Opsimathy <Xpage=1007>

Op*sim"a*thy (?) , n. [Gr. <?/.] Education late in life. [R.]

Hales.

Opsiometer <Xpage=1007>

Op`si*om"e*ter (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ sight + -meter : cf. F. opsiom\'8atre .] An instrument for measuring the limits of distincts vision in different individuals, and thus determiming the proper focal length of a lens for correcting imperfect sight.

Brande & C.

Opsonation <Xpage=1007>

Op`so*na"tion (?) , n. [L. opsonatio .] A catering; a buying of provisions. [Obs.]

Bailey.

Optable <Xpage=1007>

Op"ta*ble (?) , a. [L. optabilis .] That may be chosen; desirable. [Obs.]

Cockeram.

Optate <Xpage=1007>

Op"tate (?) , v. i. [L. optatus , p. p. of optare .] To choose; to wish for; to desire. [Obs.]

Cotgrave.

Optation <Xpage=1007>

Op*ta"tion (?) , n. [L. optatio . See Option .] The act of optating; a wish. [Obs.]

Sir T. Browne.

Optative <Xpage=1007>

Op"ta*tive (?) , a. [L. optativus : cf. F. optatif .] Expressing desire or wish.

Fuller.

Optative mood (Gram.) , that mood or form of a verb, as in Greek, Sanskrit, etc., in which a wish or desire is expressed.

Optative <Xpage=1007>

Op"ta*tive , n. [Cf. F. optatif .]

1. Something to be desired. [R.]

Bacon.

2. (Gram.) The optative mood; also, a verb in the optative mood.

Optatively <Xpage=1007>

Op"ta*tive*ly , adv. In an optative manner; with the expression of desire. [R.]

God blesseth man imperatively, and man blesseth God optatively . Bp. Hall.

Optic <Xpage=1007>

Op"tic (?) , n. [From Optic , a. ] 1. The organ of sight; an eye.

The difference is as great between The optics seeing, as the object seen. Pope.

2. An eyeglass. [Obs.]

Herbert.

Optic, Optical <Xpage=1007>

Op"tic (?) , Op"tic*al (?) , a. [F. optique , Gr. <?/; akin to <?/ sight, <?/ I have seen, <?/ I shall see, and to <?/ the two eyes, <?/ face, L. oculus eye. See Ocular , Eye , and cf. Canopy , Ophthalmia .] 1. Of or pertaining to vision or sight.

The moon, whose orb Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views. Milton.

2. Of or pertaining to the eye; ocular; as, the optic nerves (the first pair of cranial nerves) which are distributed to the retina . See Illust . of Brain , and Eye .

3. Relating to the science of optics; as, optical works .

Optic angle (Opt.) , the angle included between the optic axes of the two eyes when directed to the same point; -- sometimes called binocular parallax . -- Optic axis . (Opt.) (a) A line drawn through the center of the eye perpendicular to its anterior and posterior surfaces. In a normal eye it is in the direction of the optic axis that objects are most distinctly seen. (b) The line in a doubly refracting crystal, in the direction of which no double refraction occurs. A uniaxial crystal has one such line, a biaxial crystal has two. -- Optical circle (Opt.) , a graduated circle used for the measurement of angles in optical experiments. -- Optical square , a surveyor's instrument with reflectors for laying off right angles.

Optically <Xpage=1007>

Op"tic*al*ly , adv. By optics or sight; with reference to optics.

<-- def. of Optically active needs rewriting --> Optically active , Optically inactive (Chem. Physics) , terms used of certain metameric substances which, while identical with each other in other respects, differ in this, viz., that they do or do not produce right-handed or left-handed circular polarization of light. -- Optically positive , Optically negative . See under Refraction .

Optician <Xpage=1007>

Op*ti"cian (?) , n. [Cf. F. opticien . See Optic , a. ]

1. One skilled in optics. [R.]

A. Smith.

2. One who deals in optical glasses and instruments.

Optics <Xpage=1007>

Op"tics (?) , n. [Cf. F. optique , L. optice , Gr. <?/ (sc. <?/). See Optic .] That branch of physical science which treats of the nature and properties of light, the laws of its modification by opaque and transparent bodies, and the phenomena of vision.

Optigraph <Xpage=1007>

Op"ti*graph (?) , n. [ Optic + -graph : cf. F. opticographe . See Optic , a. ] A telescope with a diagonal eyepiece, suspended vertically in gimbals by the object end beneath a fixed diagonal plane mirror. It is used for delineating landscapes, by means of a pencil at the eye end which leaves the delineation on paper.

Optimacy <Xpage=1007>

Op"ti*ma*cy (?) , n. [Cf. F. optimatie . See Optimate .]

1. Government by the nobility. [R.]

Howell.

2. Collectively, the nobility. [R.]

Optimate <Xpage=1007>

Op"ti*mate (?) , a. [L. optimas , -atis , adj., optimates , n. pl., the adherents of the best men, the aristocrats, fr. optimus the best.] Of or pertaining to the nobility or aristocracy. [R.] -- n. A nobleman or aristocrat; a chief man in a state or city. [R.]

Chapman.

Optimates <Xpage=1007>

Op`ti*ma"tes (?) , n. pl. [L. See Optimate .] The nobility or aristocracy of ancient Rome, as opposed to the populares .

Optime <Xpage=1007>

Op"ti*me (?) , n. [L., adv. fr. optimus the best.] One of those who stand in the second rank of honors, immediately after the wranglers, in the University of Cambridge, England. They are divided into senior and junior optimes.

Optimism <Xpage=1007>