Emily Dickinson Lexicon

OP-PO-SI'TION, n. [L. oppositio.]

1. Situation so as to front something else; a standing over against; as, the opposition of two mountains or buildings.
2. The act of opposing; attempt to check, restrain or defeat. He makes opposition to the measure; the bill passed without opposition. Will any opposition be made to the suit, to the claim or demand?
3. Obstacle. The river meets with no opposition in its course to the ocean.
4. Resistance; as, the opposition of enemies. Virtue will break through all opposition.
5. Contrariety; repugnance in principle; as, the opposition of the heart to the laws of God.
6. Contrariety of interests, measures or designs. The two parties are in opposition to each other.
7. Contrariety or diversity of meaning; as, one term used in opposition to another.
8. Contradiction; inconsistency. Locke.
9. The collective body of opposers; in England, the party in Parliament which opposes the ministry; in America, the party that opposes the existing administration.
10. In astronomy, the situation of two heavenly bodies, when distant from each other 180 degrees.