adversative, a. and n.
(ædˈvɜːsətɪv)
[ad. L. adversātīvus, f. adversāt-, ppl. stem of adversā-ri: see prec. and -ive.]
A. adj. Characterized by opposition; hence,
1. Of words or propositions: Expressive of opposition, contrariety, or antithesis.
| 1533 More Apol. xvii. Wks. 1557, 877/1 But being a preposicion aduersatiue. a 1698 South 12 Serm. III. 111 These words are ushered in with the Adversative Particle (But) which stands as a note of Opposition to something going before. 1752 Harris Hermes ii. (1786) 257 Of these Disjunctives some are Simple, some Adversative..the Simple do no more than merely disjoin; the Adversative disjoin, with an opposition concomitant. 1879 Farrar St. Paul II. 561 The adversative force of δὲ..does seem to imply that passing shade of hesitation. |
† 2. Of opposing tendency or adverse nature. Obs.
| 1601 Holland Pliny xxv. viii, Pistolochia, which herb is so adversative unto serpents, that..it will chase away all kind of serpents out of the house. 1603 ― Plutarch's Mor. 1143 The other is adversative, and maketh us to hate that which is foule and bad. |
B. n. [The adj. used absol.] An adversative proposition or word; one which expresses opposition.
| a 1556 Cranmer Wks. I. 57 Every indifferent reader understandeth this adversative upon our side, that we say Christ is not received in the mouth, but in the heart. 1612 Brinsley Posing of Parts (1669) 47, Q. How many kinds of Conjunctions have you? A. Twelve. Copulatives, Disjunctives..Adversatives, etc. 1778 R. Lowth On Isaiah (ed. 12) 134 Which, being rendered as an adversative, sets the opposition in a stronger light. |