1. resistance; antagonism, hostility; opposing body or party (in politics, sports, etc.). opposition\op`po*si"tion\ , n. [f., fr. l. oppositio. see:
opposite.].
2. the act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or defeat; resistance. the counterpoise of so great an opposition. virtue which breaks through all opposition.
3. the state of being placed over against; situation so as to front something else.
4. repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy.
5. 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.
6. (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°; -- signified by the symbol ; as, &jupiter; &sun;, opposition of jupiter to the sun.
7. (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.opposition n.
8. the action of opposing something that you disapprove or disagree with; "he encountered a general feeling of resistance from many citizens"; "despite opposition from the newspapers he went ahead" [syn: resistance].
9. the relation between opposed entities [syn: oppositeness].
10. the act of opposing groups confronting each other; "the government was not ready for a confrontation with the unions"; "the invaders encountered stiff opposition" [syn: confrontation].
11. a contestant that you are matched against [syn: opponent, opposite].
12. a body of people united in opposing something.
13. a direction opposite to another.
14. an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force); "a soldier must be prepared to kill his enemies" [syn: enemy, foe, foeman, opponent]opposition or..see:
polar.
15. The act of opposing; an attempt to check, restrain, or defeat; resistance.
16. The state of being placed over against; situation so as to front something else.
17. Repugnance; contrariety of sentiment, interest, or purpose; antipathy.
18. 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.
19. 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°; - - signified by the symbol &?;; as, &?; &Jupiter; &Sun;, opposition of Jupiter to the sun.
20. 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. a body of people united in opposing something a political party opposed to the party in power and prepared to replace it if elected; "Her Majesty's loyal opposition" a contestant that you are matched against a direction opposite to another the relation between opposed entities.
21. 1. Opposition is strong, angry, or violent disagreement and disapproval. The government is facing a new wave of opposition in the form of a student strike Much of the opposition to this plan has come from the media. ¡Ù support.
22. The opposition is the political parties or groups that are opposed to a government. The main opposition parties boycotted the election, saying it would not be conducted fairly.
23. In a country's parliament or legislature, the opposition refers to the politicians or political parties that form part of the parliament or legislature, but are not the government. the Leader of the Opposition.
24. The opposition is the person or team you are competing against in a sports event. Poland provide the opposition for the Scots' last warm-up match at home.