obverse
obverse Lexical Profile
obverse Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The side of a coin, medal, or flag that bears the head or principal design.
"The obverse of the commemorative coin features a portrait of the monarch."
The opposite or counterpart of a fact, truth, or situation.
"True humility is the obverse of arrogance in leadership."
A logical proposition inferred from another by negating the predicate and changing the quality from affirmative to negative or vice versa.
"In formal logic, 'no mortals are infallible' is the obverse of 'all mortals are fallible'."
• adjective
Turned toward the observer or serving as the front or principal surface.
"The curator carefully cleaned the obverse side of the ancient bronze medal."
Serving as a counterpart, complement, or opposite aspect of a truth or fact.
"Reckless spending is often the obverse aspect of financial insecurity."
Narrower at the base or point of attachment than at the apex or top (especially of a leaf).
"The botanist noted the obverse shape of the shrub's glossy leaves."
Word Nuance & Usage
In numismatics, 'obverse' specifically refers to the front or 'heads' side of a coin, whereas 'reverse' refers to the back or 'tails' side; however, in general usage, 'obverse' is frequently used to mean a counterpart or complement, which can lead to confusion with 'converse' or 'reverse'.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 17th century from Latin 'obversus', the past participle of 'obvertere' ('to turn toward or against'), formed from 'ob-' ('toward') and 'vertere' ('to turn').