antagonism
(ænˈtægənɪz(ə)m)
[ad. Gr. ἀνταγώνισµα, n. of action f. ἀνταγωνίζ-εσθαι: see antagonize. Cf. mod.Fr. antagonisme. Not in Johnson; in Todd 1818 without quot.]
1. a. The mutual resistance or active opposition of two opposing forces, physical or mental; active opposition to a force.
| 1839 Blackw. Mag. XLVI. 647 When this antagonism ceased to operate. 1859 Mill Liberty ii. (1865) 28/1 Opinions favourable..to sociality and individuality, to liberty and discipline, and all the other standing antagonisms of practical life. 1880 Gen. Adye in 19th Cent. No. 38. 709 Mixing up castes and nationalities with a view to class antagonism. |
b. spec. in Phys. and Art.
| 1853 Mayne Exp. Lex., Antagonism, a term for the action of those muscles which are opposed to each other in their office. 1859 Mrs. Schimmelpenninck Princ. Beauty iii. ii. §26 Antagonism is the juxtaposition of opposing expressions in equally intense degree. 1872 Darwin Emotions vii. 197 The central fasciæ of the frontal muscle would have contracted in antagonism. 1872 Blackie Lays Highl. Introd. 22 One of Beethoven's cunningly balanced antagonisms of sweet sound. |
c. Const. Antagonism between two things, to or against a thing; to be or act in antagonism to; to be in, or come into antagonism with.
| 1838 Blackw. Mag. XLIV. 587 Consciousness is an act of antagonism against the modification of man's natural being. 1849 Cobden Speeches 37 The Government had not placed itself in antagonism to them. 1855 H. Reed Lect. Eng. Hist. iv. 443 The natural antagonism of a base to a noble nature. a 1862 Buckle Civilis. (1869) III. iii. 171 This antagonism between the aristocratic and trading spirit. 1870 Disraeli Lothair xlviii. 260 That the Church is in antagonism with political freedom. 1878 Huxley Physiogr. Pref. 7 In direct antagonism to the fundamental principles of scientific education. 1879 M{supc}Carthy Own Times II. 227 Russia..was brought into chronic antagonism with Turkey. |
d. Biochem. Inhibition of or interference with the action of a substance or organism (as a salt, microbe, mould, etc.) by another substance or organism.
| 1874 W. Roberts in Phil. Trans. R. Soc. CLXIV. 466 There was an antagonism between the growth of certain races of Bacteria and certain other races of Bacteria. 1938 Ann. Reg. 1937 349 Much research was done on synergism and antagonism of vitamins. 1949 H. W. Florey Antibiotics II. viii. xv. 636 When a mixture of micro-organisms is grown together, certain bacteria or moulds will inhibit the growth of other bacteria or moulds. This phenomenon is known as ‘bacterial antagonism’. |
2. An opposing force or principle.
| 1840 Carlyle Heroes (1858) 340 These two Antagonisms at war here, in the case of Laud and the Puritans, are as old nearly as the world. a 1859 De Quincey in Page Life (1877) II. xix. 186 As if resulting from mighty and equal antagonisms. 1866 Ferrier Lect. Grk. Philos. I. xiv. 435 An antagonism put forth against the passions. |