adversary English · revision 1525

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈæd.və.sɛɹi/, /ˈæd.və.s(ə)ɹi/ ''(UK)''; /ˈæd.vəɹˌsɛɹi/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|adversarie]],^(AHD)^(RHWU)^(MWU 2024) [[bor|fro|adversarie]], [[m|xno|adverser]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) or directly [[bor|la|adversārius|t=opponent, rival, enemy]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) a noun use of the adjective ''adversārius'' “opposite, hostile”,^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|adversus|t=turned toward, facing; hostile]] (see [[adverse]]) and the suffix [[m|la|-ārius]].^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) The ''d'' of the modern spelling is due to the Latin.^(Klein 1966)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ An opponent, antagonist or enemy (1330 in the OED; 1340 in Barnhart; mid-14th century in Etymonline), originally especially Satan as the enemy of mankind.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, “opposed, hostile”, is recorded from 1382 and is now archaic,^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024) but in law an ''adversary'' proceeding is one with opposing parties,^(OED 1989)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU) which British English calls ''adversarial''.^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023) The noun also came to mean an opponent in a game or contest.^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1330 – an opponent, enemy.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1340 – recorded in Barnhart.^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1382 – adjective, opposed, hostile.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An [[opponent]] or [[enemy]]; one who contends with or resists another.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # An opposing contestant in a game or sport.^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''The Adversary'': the [[Devil]], [[Satan]].^(AHD)^(RHWU)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Involving opposing parties or interests, as in a legal proceeding; [[adversarial]].^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[adversarial]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[adverse]]

+ * [[adversity]]

+ * [[antagonist]]

+ * [[versus]]

+ * [[foe]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The RHWU distinguishes ''adversary'' and [[antagonist]]: an adversary is an enemy who fights determinedly and relentlessly, while an antagonist opposes another in a hostile spirit, often in a particular contest.^(RHWU)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}