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Webster 1913 Edition
Adversary
Adˊver-sa-ry
,Noun.
pl.
Adversaries
. [OE.
adversarie
, direct fr. the Latin, and adversaire
, fr. OF. adversier
, aversier
, fr. L. adversarius
(a.) turned toward, (n.) an adversary. See Adverse
.] One who is turned against another or others with a design to oppose or resist them; a member of an opposing or hostile party; an opponent; an antagonist; an enemy; a foe.
His ancient knot of dangerous
adversaries
. Shakespeare
Agree with thine
adversary
quickly. Matt. v. 25.
It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of truth is to dispute without an
adversary
. Beattie.
The Adversary
, The Satan, or the Devil.
Enemy is the only one of these words which necessarily implies a state of personal hostility. Men may be adversaries, antagonists, or opponents to each other in certain respects, and yet have no feelings of general animosity. An adversary may be simply one who is placed for a time in a hostile position, as in a lawsuit, an argument, in chess playing, or at fence. An opponent is one who is ranged against another (perhaps passively) on the opposing side; as a political opponent, an opponent in debate. An antagonist is one who struggles against another with active effort, either in a literal fight or in verbal debate.
Ad′ver-sa-ry
,Adj.
1.
Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic.
[Archaic]
Bp. King.
2.
(Law)
Having an opposing party; not unopposed;
as, an
. adversary
suitWebster 1828 Edition
Adversary
AD'VERSARY
,Noun.
1.
An enemy or foe; one who has enmity at heart.The Lord shall take vengeance on his adversaries. Nah. 1.
In scripture, Satan is called THE adversary, by way of eminence. 1Peter 5.
2.
An opponent or antagonist, as in a suit at law, or in single combat; an opposing litigant.AD'VERSARY
,Adj.