adversary

noun (an adversary, adversaries)

«adversary» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Meaning — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

Everyday

(formal) An enemy or opponent; someone you fight or compete against. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and history: heroes face an adversary. In sport and games: a worthy adversary is a strong opponent. Phrases: a worthy adversary, old adversary, political adversaries.

Examples

The knight faced his adversary on the bridge. tree →
In chess, try to guess your adversary's next move. tree →
The two teams were old adversaries. tree →
She was a tough adversary in the debate. tree →
Sherlock Holmes's greatest adversary was Moriarty. tree →
Even adversaries can shake hands after the game. tree →
Heracles destroyed this new adversary with his club, and now called upon his nephew to come to his aid. tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words: enemy, opponent, rival. Plural: adversaries (y to ies). Adjective adversarial. Do not confuse with "anniversary".

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, God promises to be an enemy to the enemies of Israel and to take vengeance on those who hate Him. In the Psalms, "adversaries" are the enemies of the poet or of God's people, and the poet prays to God against them.

Interpretation. The tradition reads the Torah verses as a promise that God stands with Israel if they obey, and as a reminder that justice belongs to God. It reads the Psalms as prayers of a person in trouble who trusts God to answer his enemies, and many are traditionally ascribed to David.

Examples

If I whet My glittering sword, and My hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to Mine adversaries, and will recompense them that hate Me. (Torah DEU.32.41, JPS 1917) tree →
But if thou shalt indeed hearken unto his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. (Torah EXO.23.22, JPS 1917) tree →
Were it not that I dreaded the enemy's provocation, lest their adversaries should misdeem, lest they should say: Our hand is exalted, and not the LORD hath wrought all this.' (Torah DEU.32.27, JPS 1917) tree →
LORD, how many are mine adversaries become! (Writings PSA.3.2, JPS 1917) tree →
How long, O God, shall the adversary reproach? (Writings PSA.74.10, JPS 1917) tree →
A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His adversaries round about. (Writings PSA.97.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Formal; everyday words: enemy, opponent, rival. Plural: adversaries (y to ies). Adjective adversarial. Do not confuse with "anniversary".

Meaning

On Mova

Trees and pragmatics of «adversary» in the school dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«adversary» in the school dictionary on Mova free.
Trees and pragmatics of «adversary» in the Judaism dictionary: every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
«adversary» in the Judaism dictionary on Mova free.

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