obverse

¹ob·verse

adjective \äb-ˈvərs, əb-, ˈäb-ˌ\

Definition of OBVERSE

1

: facing the observer or opponent

2

: having the base narrower than the top <an obverse leaf>

3

: constituting the obverse of something : opposite

— ob·verse·ly adverb

Origin of OBVERSE

Latin obversus, from past participle of obvertere to turn toward, from ob- toward + vertere to turn — more at ob-, worth

First Known Use: circa 1656

Other Monetary Terms

clad, legend, numismatic, obverse, reverse, scrip, series, specie

Rhymes with OBVERSE

adverse, amerce, asperse, averse, coerce, commerce, converse, cutpurse, disburse, disperse, diverse, dry nurse, free verse, immerse, inverse, Nez Percé, perverse, rehearse, reverse, scrub nurse, sesterce, submerse, transverse, traverse, wet nurse

²ob·verse

noun \ˈäb-ˌvərs, äb-ˈ, əb-ˈ\

Definition of OBVERSE

1

: the side of a coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering; broadly : a front or principal surface

2

: a counterpart having the opposite orientation or force <their rise was merely the obverse of the Empire's fall — A. J. Toynbee>; also : opposite 1 <joy and its obverse, sorrow>

3

: a proposition inferred immediately from another by denying the opposite of what the given proposition affirms <the obverse of “all A is B” is “no A is not B” >

Examples of OBVERSE

1. joy and its obverse, sadness
2. We thought they would be pleased with our decision. We have learned, however, that the obverse is true.

First Known Use of OBVERSE

1658

Related to OBVERSE

Synonyms

antipode, antithesis, contrary, counter, negative, opposite, reverse

Related Words

negation; antonym; counterpoint; converse, inverse, mirror image

Near Antonyms

synonym; analogue (or analog), counterpart; carbon copy, copy, duplicate, replica

Other Monetary Terms

clad, legend, numismatic, reverse, scrip, series, specie