Ad`ver*sa*ry (&?;), n.; 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.
Shak.
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.
Syn. -- Adversary, Enemy, Opponent,
Antagonist. 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 (&?;), a. 1.
Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic. [Archaic] Bp.
King.
2. (Law) Having an opposing party; not
unopposed; as, an adversary suit.
