opponent English · revision 6745

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1553|origins=la oppono}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /əˈpəʊ.nənt/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|opponens|t=setting against]], the present participle of [[m|la|oppono|alt=oppōnere|t=to set against, oppose]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|ob|t=against, in front of]] and [[m|la|pono|alt=pōnere|t=to put, place]] (see [[position]]).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who maintains a contrary argument in a disputation, especially in a university: 1588 in the OED and Barnhart, the 1580s in Etymonline;^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) MWU dates it to 1553.^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general sense, one who opposes another in a contest or fight, is from 1615.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The adjective, opposing, is from 1647,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) and in anatomy it describes a muscle that moves the thumb against the fingers (1842).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1553 – first use (MWU).^(MWU 2024)

+ * 1588 – one who argues against a thesis.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1615 – an adversary.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1647 – the adjective.^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who opposes another in a contest, battle or argument; an [[adversary]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A person who is against a plan or idea.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Opposing; acting against.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[opponency]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[oppose]]

+ * [[opposite]]

+ * [[position]]

+ * [[component]]

+ * [[exponent]]

+ * [[proponent]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The AHD distinguishes it from synonyms: an opponent simply opposes; an [[adversary]] is usually more hostile; an [[antagonist]] is actively engaged in a struggle; an [[enemy]] may feel hatred or seek harm.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}