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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Adversary \Ad"ver*sa*ry\, a.
1. Opposed; opposite; adverse; antagonistic. [Archaic] --Bp.
King.
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2. (Law) Having an opposing party; not unopposed; as, an
adversary suit.
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Adversary \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.
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His ancient knot of dangerous adversaries. --Shak.
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Agree with thine adversary quickly. --Matt. v. 25.
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It may be thought that to vindicate the permanency of
truth is to dispute without an adversary. --Beattie.
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{The Adversary}, The Satan, or the Devil.
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Syn: {Adversary}, {Enemy}, {Opponent}, {Antagonist}.

Usage: 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.
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