Middle English Dictionary Entry
opposit(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | opposit(e n. Also oposit, apposit(e. |
| Etymology | OF oposite n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The opposite side of an arena, a body, etc.; in the ~, in or from the opposite end; (b) a diametrically opposed region of the earth, antipodes; (c) in (to) the ~, in the opposite direction; in the ~ of, facing (sb. or sth.); (d) a contrary statement, doctrine, or principle; (e) an opposing quality, condition, or element.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1385) Chaucer CT.Kn.(Manly-Rickert)A.1894 : Estward ther stood a gate of marbul whit, Westward right swich another in the oposit [vrr. another in opposite, another the oposit].
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.1012 : Euen ageyn þe kynges royal see, In þe party þat was þer-to contrarie I-reised was..Riȝt as any lyne in þe apposyt..a ful rich auter.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.2642 : Þe Grekis gon To-fore þe toun, in stel armyd briȝt, Ageyns Troyens in purpos for to fiȝt; And þei wer come proudly in-to felde In thoposit.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.2693 : In-to feld with Grekis þei be went; But Troylus first, in þe opposit..with his folk in be-gan to ride.
- a1450(?c1421) Lydg.ST (Arun 119)4269 : Whoos comyng out his brother gan aduerte Vpon his stede in the opposit.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)63b/a : Þise beþ þe comon entensionz of Ipocras of euery immoderate euacuacioun þerfor: it is deriuate to placez nyȝe, it is antispasate forsoþ to þe oppositez [Ch.(2): þat oþer parties þere-aȝeyns; L opposita].
b
- ?a1425(c1400) Mandev.(1) (Tit C.16)121/19 : All the parties of see & of lond han here appositees [F apposites] habitables or trespassables.
c
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)1.3349 : Ȝif þat it [a stone] be take And yholden in þe opposyt Of any werm, even ageyn þe syȝt..Of his venym þe force he most lese.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)2.6814 : Entryng in, þei taken han her place In thoposyt of þe kynges face.
- c1425 Arderne Fistula (Sln 6)61/37 : Fleobotomye..of þe vtter sophenez..draweþ þe flowyng to þe opposite..þat it flow noȝt to þe costomable place.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)1911 : I sawe..A pylgrym..Drawynge in-to the oryent, And euene in the opposyt I sawe ek kome..A womman.
d
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)11a/a : William & Lamfranc..sey also þe bonez petrosa for to be..noȝt toching þe brayne ne for to be of þe principalz, of which þe oppositee, i. contrarie, is truwe.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)19b/a : Þe oppositee, i. þe contrarie, of which þing seiþ William de Saliceto And his folower Lamfranc, and þai say yuel.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)171a/b : If aking is sencibilite of contrary þing, so..sedacioun, i. cesyng of aking, and delite, by þe opposite, i. contrarie, is of a conuenient þing.
e
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)63b/b : Fulfille þu bi þe rule of oppositeez, i. contrariez.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)127b/a : Of eminence and ingrossacioun of alle þe eye & of hys opposite, macillence & diminucioun.
- ?a1425 *Chauliac(1) (NY 12)165a/b : Be þer ordeyned a gouernaunce to þe opposite, i. contrarye, of his cause.
- c1450(c1440) Scrope Othea (StJ-C H.5)5/17 : I will the..telle..Of thinges that be full necessarie To hiȝ wurthynes and the contrarie, To the opposite of wurthynes.
- c1484(a1475) Caritate SSecr.(Tak 38)145/5 : Man is made of opposytis and contrarius elements, and of sqwyche humorys þat alle-wey nedyth noryschyng and fedyng and pocyonnis.
2.
Astron. (a) A diametrically opposed point on an astrolabe; (b) a position 180 away [= opposicioun (a)].
Associated quotations
a
- c1400 *Chaucer Astr.(Brussels 4869)[2.38.] 95a : The opposit of the south lyne is the north.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.37.3 : The opposit of thin ascendent..sitt upon the west orisonte.
- a1450(1391) Chaucer Astr.(Benson-Robinson)2.37.7 : The begynnyng of the 10 hous sitt upon the lyne meridional, and his opposyt upon the lyne of mydnight.
b
- (c1392) ?Westwyk EPlanets (Peterh 75)42/21 : The mone is..descending til she come to the opposit of caput, þt is to seyn, cauda draconis.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)4.3243 : To thee, Diane, I preie..The nyhtes Mone and the goddesse, That thou..Ayein Phebus in opposit Stond al this time.