¹obverse

adjective ob·verse \äb-ˈvərs, əb-, ˈäb-ˌ\

Definition of OBVERSE

: facing the observer or opponent

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

: 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

²obverse

noun ob·verse \ˈäb-ˌvərs, äb-ˈ, əb-ˈ\

: something that is the opposite of something else

Full Definition of OBVERSE

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

: 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>

: 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” >

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