adversary
adversary Lexical Profile
adversary Game Scores & Validity
• noun
One's opponent or rival in a contest, conflict, dispute, or struggle.
"The chess grandmaster studied her adversary's previous tournament games to anticipate his opening strategy."
• adjective
Involving or characterized by two opposing parties or interests, especially in a legal proceeding where rival sides present their cases before an impartial judge or jury.
"In an adversary legal system, the truth is sought through the competing arguments of prosecution and defense."
Word Nuance & Usage
Do not confuse the noun 'adversary' (an opponent) with 'adversity' (hardship or misfortune). When used as an adjective (as in 'an adversary proceeding'), 'adversarial' is generally preferred in non-legal contexts.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Anglo-French 'adversarie', from Latin 'adversarius' ('turned toward or against, hostile'), derived from 'advertere' ('to turn toward'), combining 'ad-' ('toward') and 'vertere' ('to turn').