obverse

obverse
I. adjective Etymology: Latin obversus, from past participle of obvertere to turn toward, from ob- toward + vertere to turn — more at ob-, worth Date: circa 1656 1. facing the observer or opponent 2. having the base narrower than the top <
an obverse leaf
>
3. constituting the obverse of something ; oppositeobversely adverb II. noun Date: 1658 1. the side of a coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering; broadly a front or principal surface 2. a counterpart having the opposite orientation or force <
their rise was merely the obverse of the Empire's fall — A. J. Toynbee
>
; also opposite 1 <
joy and its obverse, sorrow
>
3. a proposition inferred immediately from another by denying the opposite of what the given proposition affirms <
the obverse of “all A is B” is “no A is not B”
>

New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Obverse — Ob verse ([o^]b v[ e]rs), n. [Cf. F. obverse, obvers. See {Obverse}, a.] 1. The face of a coin which has the principal image or inscription upon it; the other side being the {reverse}. [1913 Webster] 2. Anything necessarily involved in, or… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • obverse — [äb vʉrs′, əbvʉrs′; ] also, and for n. always [, äb′vʉrs΄] adj. [L obversus, pp. of obvertere, to turn toward < ob (see OB ) + vertere, to turn: see VERSE] 1. turned toward the observer 2. narrower at the base than at the top [an obverse leaf] …   English World dictionary

  • obverse — ► NOUN 1) the side of a coin or medal bearing the head or principal design. 2) the opposite or counterpart of a fact or truth. ► ADJECTIVE 1) denoting the obverse of a coin or medal. 2) corresponding to something as its opposite or counterpart.… …   English terms dictionary

  • Obverse — Ob*verse ([o^]b*v[ e]rs ), a. [L. obversus, p. p. of obvertere. See {Obvert}.] Having the base, or end next the attachment, narrower than the top, as a leaf. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • obverse — index adverse (opposite), antipode, contra, contradictory, contraposition, contrary, counterpart (com …   Law dictionary

  • obverse — (adj.) 1650s, from L. obversus, pp. of obvertere to turn toward or against, from ob toward (see OB (Cf. ob )) + vertere to turn (see VERSUS (Cf. versus)). According to OED, not in common use until the end of the 18th century. The noun, in… …   Etymology dictionary

  • obverse — n *converse, reverse …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • obverse — 1. adjective a) Turned or facing toward the observer. The obverse side of the gravestone has the inscription. b) Corresponding; complementary. When you speak clearly, people understand you. If you mumble, the obverse effect is observed …   Wiktionary

  • obverse — ob|verse [ˈɔbvə:s US ˈa:bvə:rs] n [singular] [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; Origin: obversus, from obvertere to turn toward ] 1.) formal the opposite of a particular situation or feeling = ↑opposite obverse of ▪ The obverse of victory is defeat. 2.)… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • Obverse — The opposite, the opposite side, the counterpart. For example, mania is thought of as the obverse of depression just as heads is the obverse of tails on a coin …   Medical dictionary

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