adversus

Pronunciation

• IPA (Classical): [adˈwɛr.sʊs]^[1]
• IPA (Ecclesiastical): [adˈvɛr.sus]^[1]

Forms

adversus (feminine adversa, neuter adversum, comparative adversior, superlative adversissimus), first/second-declension adjective, also an adverb and a preposition with the accusative (adversus, adversum).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is the perfect participle of advertō “to turn towards”.^[2][1][4] Plautus, Terence and others have the older ⟨advorsus⟩, and inscriptions ⟨atversus⟩ and ⟨arvorsum⟩.^[2] The adverb and preposition ⟨adversus⟩, ⟨adversum⟩ “facing, against” come from the adjective.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation for the adjective is from Cato, of facing.^[2] Köbler's first source for the preposition is Plautus, and for the participle the Law of the Twelve Tables, which he dates about 450 BC.^[5]

Semantic evolution

It meant turned towards, facing, opposite, and lectus adversus was the marriage bed opposite the door, as in Cicero.^[2] It meant lying in one's way, mutually opposed, diametrically opposite in astronomy, directed to the front, and of light or wind falling full on something.^[2] Wounds adversa were received in front, facing the enemy.^[2] Of slopes it meant rising, adversō colle “uphill”, and adversō flūmine “upstream”, and of winds contrary.^[2] It meant ranged against in war, hostile, opposed in opinion, of gods and omens unfavourable, and of times and events adverse, so that rēs adversae meant misfortune, as in Plautus.^[2] Pliny uses it of what is contrary in kind.^[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant turned toward, opposite, facing.^[6] English adverse came in the late 14th century through Old French advers, and English adversary from its derivative adversārius.^[7]

Timeline

• c. 450 BC – The Law of the Twelve Tables has the word, according to Köbler.^[5]
• c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses rēs adversae and the preposition.^[2][5]
• 234–149 BC – Cato uses it of facing.^[2][5]
• 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of contrary winds and hostile opinions.^[2][5]
• late 14th century – English adverse is recorded.^[7]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Turned towards, facing, opposite.^[2]
2. In front; of wounds, received in front.^[2]
3. Rising, uphill; upstream; of winds, contrary.^[2]
4. Opposed in battle; hostile.^[2]
5. Unfavourable, adverse, rēs adversae, misfortune.^[2]
6. Contrary in kind.^[2]

Preposition

1. (with accusative) Facing, opposite.^[2]
2. Towards; to, in the presence of.^[2]
3. Against, in opposition to; contrary to.^[2]
4. With regard to; compared with.^[2]

Related words

• advertō
• adversārius
• vertō
• English adverse
• English adversary

Usage notes

As an adverb, adversus or adversum meant facing, opposite, and adversum īre was to go to meet someone, as in Plautus.^[2][3] A noun adversus meant an opponent in battle or politics, as in Sallust.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
3. ^ a b Gaffiot, Félix (2016), Dictionnaire latin-français, new ed. by Gérard Gréco et al. (Gaffiot 2016), online ed.
4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
5. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
6. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com