Oppose, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opposed; p. pr. & vb. n. Opposing.]
Etymology: [F. opposer. See Ob-, Pose, and cf.2d Appose, Puzzle, n. Cf.L. opponere, oppositum.]
1. To place in front of, or over against; to set opposite; to exhibit. Her grace sat down . . . In a rich chair of state; opposing freely The beauty of her person to the people. Shak.
2. To put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail; to set against; to offer antagonistically. I may . . . oppose my single opinion to his. Locke.
3. To resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against; to confront; to resist; to withstand; as, to oppose the king in battle; to oppose a bill in Congress.
4. To compete with; to strive against; as, to oppose a rival for a prize. I am . . . too weak To oppose your cunning. Shak.
1 more senses
Syn. -- To combat; withstand; contradict; deny; gainsay; oppugn; contravene; check; obstruct.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Oppose, v. i.
1. To be set opposite. Shak.
2. To act adversely or in opposition; -- with against or to; as, a servant opposed against the act. [Obs.] Shak.
3. To make objection or opposition in controversy.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for oppose; he lists it under contrast, hinder, obstruct.
Where he writes about it:
To obstruct is to hinder, or possibly to prevent advance or passage by putting something in the way; to oppose or resist is to hinder, or possibly to prevent by directly contrary or hostile action, resist being the stronger term and having more suggestion of physical force; obstructed roads hinder the march of an enemy, tho there may be no force strong enough to oppose it; one opposes a measure, a motion, an amendment, or the like; it is a criminal offense to resist an officer in the discharge of his duty; the physical system may resist the attack of disease or the action of a remedy. — from hinder
Conundrum, a word of unknown origin, signifies some question or statement in which some hidden and fanciful resemblance is involved, the answer often depending upon a pun; an enigma is a dark saying; a paradox is a true statement that at first appears absurd or contradictory; a problem is something thrown out for solution; puzzle (from oppose) referred originally to the intricate arguments by which disputants opposed each other in the old philosophic schools. — from riddle