▪ I. oˈpposing, vbl. n.
[f. oppose v. + -ing1.]
† 1. Confronting with hostile or hard questions; interrogation. Obs.
| c 1440 Promp. Parv. 368/2 Opposynge, opposicio. 1570 T. Norton tr. Nowel's Catech. (1853) 109 The Bishop..in his whole manner of opposing useth such form as here..the Catechumenus or child is prepared unto. |
2. Acting against; opposition.
| 1624 Ld. E. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 259 There will be no opposing of your son. 1656 Artif. Handsom. 52 No..crossings or opposings of his will. a 1716 South Serm. (1744) XI. x. 253 Those exact bills of our accounts relating all our opposings even of the smallest motions of the Spirit. |
▪ II. opposing, ppl. a.
(əˈpəʊzɪŋ)
[f. as prec. + -ing2.]
That opposes.
1. That stands or lies over against, or comes in front of (something else, or each other); fronting, opposite; confronting.
| 1608 Shakes. Per. iii. Prol. 17 By the four opposing coigns Which the world together joins. 1792 Wordsw. Descr. Sketches 96 As up the opposing hills they slowly creep. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xvii. 119 Ground between the opposing surfaces of the masses of ice. |
2. Acting against or in opposition; withstanding, resisting; adverse, conflicting, contrary.
| 1634 Milton Comus 600 Against th' opposing will and arm of Heav'n May never this just sword be lifted up. 1793 Burke Conduct Minority Wks. VII. 275 All these parts of our constitution, whilst they are balanced as opposing interests, are also connected as friends. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India III. 91 They succeeded in persuading the opposing party to permit the despatch of an embassy. |
Hence oˈpposingly adv., in the way of opposition.
| 1842 G. S. Faber Prov. Lett. (1844) II. 150 The novel system..as adopted by Mr. Knox and the Council of Trent, opposingly replies. 1885 G. Meredith Diana II. iii. 77 Lady Dunstane's opposingly corresponding stillness provoked Miss Paynham to expatiate. |