oˈpposer
Also 6 -ier.
[f. oppose v. + -er1.]
I. 1. a. One who ‘opposes’ the defender of a thesis in an academical disputation. Cf. oppose v. 2, opponent B. 1. Obs. exc. Hist.
| c 1500 in Peacock Stat. Cambridge App. A. p. xlv, There shall wayte on hym [the Doctor] all the Opposers. 1574 Ibid. p. xiv, M{supr} Vichauncellor, M{supr} Proctours, the Father, the Opposiers, the Bachiler awnswerynge and the Bedels. |
b. (Usu. with capital initial.) One of two examiners formerly appointed to carry out at Winchester College the elections to New College, Oxford. Cf. poser1 1.
Rarely used, in preference to poser, even before 1901 (P. Yeats-Edwards, Fellows' librarian, Winchester College, private communication 28 Jan. 1977).
| 1891 R. G. K. Wrench Winchester Word-bk. 32 Poser, an examiner. A very old word: also still used at Eton. Apposer and opposer are other old forms of it. 1901 Rashdall & Rait New College vi. 132 The Warden and Opposers are not to take bribes. |
† 2. One who checks accounts: cf. oppose v. 3.
| a 1483 Liber Niger in Househ. Ord. (1790) 51 The Chamberlayne is this clerke's auditor & opposer. |
II. 3. One who opposes or contends against a person, doctrine, argument, cause, scheme, etc.: = opponent B. 2.
| 1601 Shakes. All's Well iii. i. 6 Holy seemes the quarrell Vpon your Graces part: blacke and fearefull On the opposer. 1607 ― Cor. i. v. 23 Now the faire Goddesse Fortune, Fall deepe in loue with thee, and her great charmes Misguide thy Opposers swords. 1764 Mem. G. Psalmanazar 195, I had a much greater number of opposers to combat with. 1776 W. Nimmo Stirlingshire (1817) I. vi. 125 He had been a strenuous opposer of the Reformation. 1884 Kendal Mercury 31 Oct. 5/2 The opposers of the scheme were a minority. |