Etymologically
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adversus

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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]

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