Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Opposit, n. Also: -itt, -et, -ite; and Apposit. [ME. opposit (Chaucer), ite, e.m.E. -yte (Caxton), -ite, f. Opposit,p.p. and ppl. a.]

1. A position which is opposite. a. Astronomical opposition; the opposite part of something. 1513 Doug. vii. Prol. 2.
As bryght Phebus, scheyn souerane hevynnys e, The opposit held of hys chymmys hie 1533 Boece x. x. 370 b.
Quhen he feirslie assaleȝeit ane parte of the ciete, thai suld leddir the tothir in the opposit of the samyn 1549 Compl. 49/26.
& quhen the sune is in opposit til our meridian vndir our orizon than it is mydnycht

b. The contrary in logic. 1490 Irland Mir. II. 96/26.
Als weill mycht be inferit the opposite

c. In opposit, on the other hand, conversely. 1549 Compl. 30/8.
In opposit, Osias vas bot aucht ȝeir of aige quhen he vas vnctit kyng … ȝit he gouuernit veil the cuntre Ib. 150/9; etc.
The sone of ane prince beand distitut of vertu is no gentil man; ande in opposit ane sone of ane mechanyc plebien, being verteous, he is ane gentil man

2. a. An opposed person, an opponent or adversary. c1630 Scot Narr. 179.
Howbeit so many of their chief opposits were removed out of the way 1650 Misc. Maitl. C. II. 468.
The enemies and oppositts of the covenant a1650 Row 350.
Because some tyme he was a great opposit to bishops himself

b. During the first Covenanting period, coupled with bishop or prelate in some doubtful sense.? Put (? erron.) for Suppost (a supporter or adherent) (and cf. med. L. suppositus id.). 1640 Aberd. Council Lett. II. 247.
Give ye have occasioun to speak of the tenthes tuantie pennie woluntair contributioun bishopis and oppositis rentis ye may plainlie declair that the valuatioune of the presbiteries ar not gotin done as yit 1646 Vindication Government Church Scotland 41.
That the French and prelates and all their opposets could scarce have been a breackfast to them