sible parts.

openly made, but when hypocrisy is the cause of Where causes operate freely, with a liberty of open praying.

Hooker. indifference to this or the contrary, the effect Why should you have put me to deny

will be contingent, and the certain knowledge of This claim which now you wear so openly. it belongs only to God.

Wattsa Shukspeare. OPERATION. n. s. [operatio, Lat. operaI knew the time,

tion, Fr.] Now full, that I no more shall live obscure,

1. Agency; production of effects ; inBut openly begin, as best becomes

Huence. The authority whi I deriv'd from heav'n.

Milton.

There are in men operations, natural, rational, How grosly and openly do many of us contra

supernatural, some politick, some finally ecclesiastical.

Ho.ler. dict the precepts of the gospel, by our ungodliness and worldly lusts.

Tillotson.

By all the operations of the orbs,

From whom we do exist and cease to be, We express our thanks by openly owning our

Here I disclaim all my paternal care. Sbaksp. parentage, and paying our common devotions to God on this day's solemnity. Atterbury.

All operations by transmission of spirits, and

imagination, work at distance, and not at touch. 2. Plainly; apparently ; evidently; with. ;

Bacon. out disguise.

Waller's presence had an extraordinary operaDarah

tion to procure any thing desired. Clarendon. Too openly does love and hatred show, !

The tree whose operation brings A bountebus inaster, but a deadly foe. Dryden. Knowledge of good and ill, shun to taste. Milt. OPENMOU'THED. adj. [open and mouth.] If the operation of these salts be in convenient

Greedy ; ravenous; clamorous; voci. glasses promoted by warmth, the ascending ferous.

steams may easily be caught and reduced into a Up comes a lion openmouthed towards the ass. penetrant spirit.

Boyle. L'Estrange.

Speculative painting, without the assistance of O'PENSESS. n. s. [from open.]

manual operation, can never attain to perfection,

but slothfully languishes; for it was not with 1. Plainness; clearness ; freedom from

his tongue that Apelles performed his noble obscurity or ambiguity.

works.

Dryden Deliver with more openness your answers

The pain and sickness caused by manna, are To my demands.

Shakspears. the effects of its operation on the stomach and 2. Plainnes; freedom from disguise. guts by the size, motion, and figure of its insenThe noble openness and freedom of his re

Locke. flexions, are expressed in lively colours. Felton. 2. Action ; effect. This is often con

These letters all written in the openness of founded with the foriner sense. friendship, will prove what were my real senti

Repentance and renovation consist not in the Pope.

strite, wish, or purpose, but in the actual operaOʻPERA. n. s. [Italian.) A poetical tale tions of good life.

Hammond. or fiction, represented by vocal and in

Many medicinal drugs of rare operation. Heylo

That false fruit strumental musick, adorned with scenes, Far other operation first display'd, machines, and dancing. Dryden. Carnal desire infiaming.

Milton. You will hear what plays were acted that The offices appointed, and the powers exerweek, which is the finest song in the opera. cised in the church, by their institution and

Laτυ.
operation are holy.

Pearson. O'PERABLE. adj. [from operor, Lat.) To In this understanding piece of clock-work, his be done; practicable. Not in use. body as well as other senseless matter has coBeing uncapable of operalle circumstances, or

lour, warmth and softness. But these qualities rightly to judge the prudentiality of affairs, they

are not subsistent in those bodies, but are operaonly gaze upon the visible success, and i hereafter tions of fancy begotten in something else. Benil. condemn or cry up the whole progression. 3. [In chirurgery.) That part of the art

Broruni. of healing which depends on the use of O'PERANT. adj. [operent, Fr.) Active ; instruments.

having power to produce any effect. 4. The motions or employments of an Not in use, though elegant.

army. Earth, yield me roots;

O'PERATIVE. adj. [from operate.] HavWho seeks far better of thee, sauce his palate With thy most operant poison.

ing the power of acting; having forci

Sluksp. I must leave thee, love, and shortly too;

ble agency; active; vigorous ; efficaMy operant powers their functions leave to do. cious.

Sbakspeare.

To be over curious in searching how God's To OʻPERATE. u. n. [operor, Lat. operer,

all-piercing and operative spirit distinguishing Fr.] To act; to have agency ; to pro

gave form to the matter of the universal, is a

scarch like unto his, who not contented with a duce effects : with on before the sub

known ford, will presume to pass over the ject of operation.

greatest rivers in all parts where he is ignorant The virtues of private persons operate but on of their depths.

Raleigh. a tew; their sphere of action is narrow, and Many of the nobility endeavoured to make their influence is contined to it. Atterbury. themselves popuiar, by speaking in parliament

Bodies produce ideas in us, manifestly by im- against those ihings which were most grateful pulse, the only way which we can conceive bo- to his majesty; and he thought a little discoundies operate in.

Locke. tenance upon those persons would suppress that It can operate on the guts and stomach, and spirit within themselves, or make the poison of it thereby produce distinct ideas. Locke. less operative upon others.

Clarendon. A plain convincing reason operates on the In actions of religion we should be zealous. mind, both of a learned and ignorant hearer as active, and operative, so far as prudence will long as they live. Swift. permit.

Taylor,

ments

This circumstance of the promise must give dyne or opiate quality resolvent of the bile, is life to all the rest, and make them operative to- proper for melancholy.

Arbutbrot. ward the preducing of good life. Decay of Piety: Opifice. n. s. Copificium, Lat.) Work. It holds in all operative principles, especially

Dict. m morality; in which, not to proceed, is cer

manship; handiwork. tainly to go backward.

South. OʻPIFICER. n. s. Copifex, Lat.] One that The will is the conclusion of an operative syl- performs any work; artist. A word not logism.

Norris. received. OPERA’TOR. 1.5. [operateur, French ;

There is an infinite distance betwixt the poor from operate.) One that performs any mortal artist, and the almighty opificer. Bentley. act of the hand; one who produces any O'PINABLE. adj. [opinor, Latin.) Which effect.

may be thought.

Dict. An imaginary operator opening the first with OPINAʼtion. 11. s. [opinor, Latin.] Opia great deal of nicety, upon a cursory view it

nion; notion.

Dict. appeared like the head of another. Addison.

To administer this dose, there cannot be fewer OPINA'TOR. n. s. Copinor, Lat.) One who than titty thousand operators, allowing one ape

holds an opinion. rator to every thirty.

Swift. Consider against what kind of opinators the OPERO'S E. adj. [operosus, Lat.) Labori- reason above given is levelled.

Hale. ous ; full of trouble and tediousness. To Opi'ne. V. n. [opinor, Lat.) To think;

Such an explication is purely imaginary, and to judge; to be of opinion. also very operose, they would be as hard put to

Fear is an ague, that forsakes it to get rid of this water, when the deluge was And haunts by tits those whom it takes; to cease, as they were first to procure it. Burnet.

And they'll epine they feel the pain Written language, as it is more operous, so it And blows they felt to-day, again.

Hudibras. is more digested, and is permanent. Holder.

In matters of mere speculation, it is not maOPRIOPHAGOUS. adj. [opos and Qayw.]

terial to the welfare of government, or them

selves, whether they opine right or wrong, and Serpenteating. Not used.

whether they be philosophers or no. Soutb. All snakes are not of such poisonous qualities

But I, who think more highly of our kind, as common opinion presumeth; as is contirmable

Opine, that nature, as in duty bound,
from ophiophagous nations, and such as feed upon
serpents.

Brown.
Deep hid the shining mischief under ground.

Pope. OPHITES. n.s. A stone resembling a ser

OPI'NIATIVE. adj. [from opinion.] pent.

1. Stiff in a preconceived notion. Opbites has a dusky greenish ground, with spois of a lighter green, oblong, and usually near

2. Imagined; not proved. square.

Woodward.

It is difficult to find out truth, because it is in OPHTHA'LMICK. adj. [ophthalmique, Fr.

such inconsiderable proportions scattered in a

mass of opiniative uncertainties; like the silver from op.Sadu, Gr.] Relating to the in Hiero's crown of gold.

Glenville. eye.

OPINIA'TOR, n. s. OʻPHTHALMY. n. s. [ophtbalmie, French;

(opiniatre, Fr.] One

fond of his own notion ; inflexible; ad. from ophany, Greek.) A disease of

herent to his own opinion. the eyes, being an inflammation in the

What will not opiniators and self-believing coats, proceeding from arterious blood

men dispute of and make doubt of ? Raleigb. gotten out of the vessels and collected Essex' left lord Roberts governour; a man of into those parts.

Dict. a sour and surly nature, a great opiniator, and The use of cool applications, externally, is one who must be overcome before he would most easy to the eye; but after all, there will believe that he could be so.

Clarendon. sometimes ensue a troublesome opbtbalmy.

For all his exact plot, down was he cast fram

Sbarp. all his greatness, and forced to end his days in a OʻPIATE. n. s. A medicine that causes mean condition; as it is pity but all such polisleep.

tick opiniators should.

Soutb. They chosc atheism as an opiate, to still those OPINIA’TRE. adj. [French.] Obstinate ; frightning apprehensions of hell, by inducing a

stubborn ; intiexible. dulness and lethargy, of mind, rather than to make use of that native and salutary medicine,

Instead of an able man, you desire to have a hearty repentance.

him an insignificant wrangler, opiniatre in dis

Bentley. Thy thoughts and music change with every

course, and priding himself in contradicting others.

Locke line; No sameness of a prattling stream is thine, OPINIA’TRETY. 1. s. Copiniatreté, Fr.] Which with one unison of murmur flows, OPI'NIATRY. S Obstinacy ; inflexibiOpiute of inattention and repose.

Harte,

lity; determination of mind; stubborn. OʻPLATE. adj. Soporiferous; somnife. ness. This word, though it has been rous; narcotick; causing sleep.

tried in different forms, is not yet reThe particular ingredients of those magical ceived, nor is it wanted. ointments, are opiate and soporiferous. For Lest popular opiniatry should arise, we will anointing of the forehead and back bone, is used deliver the chief opinions.

Breun, for procuring dead sleeps.

Bucon. The one sets the thoughts upon wit and false All their shape

colours, and not upon truth; the other teaches Spangled with eyes, more numerous than those fallacy, wrangling and opiniatrety. Lecke. Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drouze, So much as we ourselves comprehend of truth Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the past'ral reed and reason, so much ye possess of real and true Of Hermes, or his opiate rod.

Milton. knowledge. The floating of other men's opinions Lettuce, which has a milky juice with an ano- in our brains, makes us not one jot the anore

:}

knowing, though they happen to be true : what Fond of preconceived notions ; stubin them was science, is in us but opiniatrety, born.

Locke.

Striking at the root of pedantry and opinionaa I can pass by opiniatry, and the busy meddling

tive assurance, would be no hindrance to the of those who thrust themselves into every thing world's improvement.

Glanville. Woodward's Letters.

One would rather chuse a reader, without I was extremely concerned at his opiniatrety art, than one ill instructed with learning, but in leaving me: but he shall not get rid so. Pope.

opinionative and without judgment. Burnet. OPI'NION. n. s. Copinion, French; opinio, OPI'NIONATIVELY. adv. (from opinionaLatin.]

tive.] Stubbornly. 1. Persuasion of the mind, without proof OPI'NIONATIVENESS. n. s. [from opinioor certain knowledge.

native.] Obstinacy. Opinion is a light, vain, crude, and imperfect OPI'NIONIST. n. s. Copinioniste, Fr. opithing, settled in the imagination, but never ar- nion.) One fond of his own notions. riving at the understanding, there to obtain the

Every conceited opinjonist sets up an infallible tincture of reason. Ben Jorson. chair in his own brain.

Glanville. Opinion is, when the assent of the understanding is so far gained by evidence of probability,

OPIPAROU S. adj. [opiparus, Lat.) Sumptuous.

Dict. that it rather inclines to one persuasion than to another, yet not altogether without a mixture of OPITULATION. n. s. [opitulatio, Latin.) uncertainty or doubting. Hale. An aiding; a helping.

Dict. Time wears out the fictions of opinion, and OʻPIUM. n. 5. A juice, partly of the residoth by degrees discover and unmask that fal

nous, partly of the gummy kind ; lacy of ungrounded persuasions; but confirms the dictates and sentiments of nature. Willins.

brought to us in flat cakes or masses Blest be the princes who have fought

very heavy and of a dense texture, not For pompous names, or wide dominion,

perfectly dry; its colour is a dark Since by their error we are taught,

brownish yellow; its smell is of a dead That happiness is but opinion.

Prior. faint kind; and its taste very bitter 2. Sentiments; judgment; notion.

and very acrid. Where no such settled custom hath made it It is brought from Natolia, Egypt, and the law, there it hath force only according to the East-Indies, produced from the white garden strength of reason and circumstances joined with poppy; with which the fields of Asia-Minor are it, or as it shews the opinion and judgment of in many places sown.

When the heads grow to them that made it; but not at all as if it had maturity, but are yet soft, green, and full of any commanding power of obedience. Selden. juice, incisions are made in them, and from every

Can they make it out against the common one of these a few drops flow of a milky juice, sense and opinion of all mankind, that there is which soon hardens into a solid consistence. The no such thing as a future state of misery for finest opium proceeds from the first incisions. such as have lived ill here?

South. What we generally have is the mere crude juice, Charity itself commands us, where we know worked up with water, or honey sufficient to no ill, to think well of all; but friendship, that bring it into form. Externally applied it is always goes a pitch higher, gives a man a pecu- emollient, relaxing and discutient, and greatly liar right and claim to the good opinion of his

promotes suppuration. A moderate dose of friend.

South. opium taken internally, is generally under a We may allow this to be his opinion concern- grain, yet custom will inake people bear a dram, ing heirs, that where there are divers children but in that case nature is vitiated. Its first efthe eldest son has the right to be heir. Locke. fect is the making the patient cheerful; it re

Philosophers are of opinion, that infinite space moves melancholy, and dissipates the dread of is possessed by God's infinite omnipresence. danger; the Turks always take it when they

Locke. are going to battle: it afterwards quiets the A story out of Boccalini sufficiently shews us spirits, eases pain, and disposes to sleep. After the opinion that judicious author entertained of the effect is over, the pain generally returns in the criticks.

Addison. a more violent manner; the spirits become 3. Favourable judgment.

lower than before, and the pulse languid. An In actions of arms small matters are of great

immoderate dose of opium brings on drunkenmoment, especially when they serve to raise an

ness, cheerfulness, and loud laughter, at first, opinion of commanders.

Hayward.

and, after many terrible symptoms, death ito Howsoever I have no opinion of those things;

self. Those who have accustomed themselves yet so much I conceive to be true, that strong

to an immoderate use of opium, are apt to be imagination hath more force upon things living,

faint, idle, and thoughtless; they lose their apthan things merely inanimate. Bacon.

Hill.

petite, and grow old before their time. If a woman had no opinion of her own person

Sleep hath forsook and giv'n me o'er and dress, she would never be angry at those

To death's benumbing opium as nay only cure. Laτυ.

Milton. who are of the opinion with herselt.

The colour and taste of opium are, as well as T. OPINION. v.a. [from the noun.] To

its soporitick or anodyne virtues, mere powers opine ; to think. A word out of use, depending on its primary qualities, whereby it and unworthy of revival.

is titled to produce different operations on difThe Stoicks spinioned the souls of wise men ferent parts of our bodies.

Locke. dwell about the moon, and those of fools wan- OʻPLE-TREE. n. s. [opulus, ople, and tree. ] dered about the earth : whereas the Epicureans A sort of tree.

Ainswortb. held nothing after death.

Brown.
That the soul and the angels are devoid of

OPOBALSAMUM. n.s. [Latin.] Balm quantity and dimension, is generally opinioned.

of Gilead.

Clunville. OPOʻPONAX. n. s. [Latin.) A gum resin. OPI’NIONATIVE. adj. [from opinion.] in sınall loose granules, and sometimes

a

in large masses, of a strong disagree

He was resolved to chuse a war rather than to able smell, and an acrid and extremely

have Bretagne carried by France, being situate bitter taste; brought to us from the

so opportunely to annoy England either for coast or trade.

Bacan': Henry vil East, and known to the Greeks; but Against these there is a proper objection, that we are entirely ignorant of the plant they offend uniformity, whereof I am therefore which produces this drug. Hill. opportunely induced to say somewhat.

Wotton. O'PPIDAN. n. s. [oppidanus, Latin.) A

The experiment does opportunely supply the deficiency,

• Bogle townsman; an inhabitant of a town. TA OPPI'GNERATE.

OPPORTU'NITY. v. a. coprignero,

n. s. [opportunité, fr.

opportunitas, Lat.] Fit time ; fit place; Lat.) To pledge; to pawn. Not in use.

time; convenience; suitableness of cirThe duke of Guise Henry was the greatest cumstances to any end. usurer in France, for that he had turned all his

A wise man will make more of portunities estate into obligations; meaning that he had

tha: he finds. Men's behaviour should be like sold and oppignorited all his patrimony, to give large donatives to other men.

their apparel, not too straight, but free for ex• Bucun. ercise.

Bacor. Ferdinando merchanded with France, for the restoring Roussillion and Perpignan, oppigno

Opportunity, like a sudden

gust,

Hath swellid my calmer thoughts into a tempest. rated to them.

Bacon.

Accursed opportunity! So OʻPPILATE. v. a. [oppilo, Lat. oppi

That work'st our thoughts into desires, desires ler, Fr.] To heap up obstruction.

To resolutions; those being ripe and quicken'd,

Thou giv’st them birth, and bring'st them forth OPPILA'TION. n. s. [oppilation, Fr. from

to action,

Denkan. oppilate.] Obstruction ; matter heaped Tho' their advice be good, their counsel vise, together.

Yet length still loses opportunities.

Denban. The ingredients prescribed in their substance I had an opportunity to see the cloud descend, actuate the spirits, reclude oppilations, and mun- and after it was past, to ascend again so high as dify the blood.

Harvey. to get over part of the mountain. Prown. OʻPPILATIVE. adj. [oppilative, Fr.] Ob- Neglect no opportunity of doing good, nor structive.

check thy desire of doing it, by a vain fear of OPPLE’TED. adj. [oppletus, Lat.] Filled;

what may happen.

Atterbury.

All poets have taken an opportunity to give crowded. OPPO'NENT. n. s. [opponens, Lat.] 'Op- To OPPO'se, v. a. (opposer, Fr. oppono,

long descriptions of the night. Brocul posite; adverse.

Latin. ]
Ere the foundations of this earth were laid,

1. To act against; to be adverse; to It was opponent to our search ordain'd,

hinder ; to resist. That joy still sought, should never be attain'd.

There's no bottom, none
Prior.

In
OPPO'NENT. n. s. Copponens, Latin.]

my voluptuousness: and

my

desire

All continent impediments wou'd o'erbear, 3. Antagonist ; adversary.

That did oppose my will..

Sbaisp. Macietb. 2. One who begins the dispute by raising 2. To put in opposition ; to offer as an

objections to a tenet : correlative to the antagonist or rival. defendant or respondent.

If all men are not naturally equal, I am sure Inasmuch as ye go about to destroy a thing all slaves are; and then I may, without presumpwhich is in force, and to draw in that which hath tion, oppose my single opinion to his. Loka. not as yet been received, to impose on us that 3. To place as an obstacle. which we think not ourselves bound unto; that

Since he stands obdurate, therefore ye are not to clain in any conference And that no lawful means can carry me other than the plaintiffs or opponents part. Hook. Out of his envy's reach, I do oppose How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his My patience to his fury.

Sbakspeant office; and seasonably commit the opponent with thro' the scas pursu'd their exil'd race, the respondent, like a long practised moderator. Engag'd the heav'ns, oppos'd the stormy main;

More. But billows roar'd and tempests rag'd in vain. OPPORTU'NE, adj. [opportune, Fr. op

Dryder. portunus, Lat.] Seasonable; convenient; 4. To place in front; to place over fit ; timely ; wall-timed; proper. against. There was nothing to be added to this great

Her grace sat down king's felicity, being at the top of all worldly

In a rich chair o state; opposing freely bliss, and the perpetual constancy of his prospe

The beauty of her person to the people. Sbaksp. rous successes, but an opportune death io with

TO OPPOʻSE. V. n. draw him irom any future blow of fortune. 1. To act adversely.

Bacon.
Will lift us up in spite of fate,

A servant, thrilld with remorse,

Oppos'd against the act, bending his sword Nearer our ancient seat; perhaps in view

To his great master. Of those bright confines, wheree with neighb'ring

Sbakspeare's King Lear. He practised to dispatch such of the nobility as

were like to oppose against his mischievous drift, An opportune excursion, we may chance

and in such sort to encumber and weaken the Re-enter heav'n.

Millon. Consider'd every creature, which of all

rest, that they should be no impediments to

him. Most opportune might serve his wiles; and found

Hayward The serpent subtlest bcast of all the field. Milt.

2. To object in a disputation; to have

the part of raising difficulties against a OPPORTU'NELY, adv. [from o portune.] tenet supposed to be right.

Seasonably; conveniently; with oppor. Opro'SELESS. adj. [from oppose.] Irre. tunity either of time or place.

sistible; not to be opposed.

arms

measures.

I could bear it longer, and not fail

Most shines, and most is acceptable above. Mill. To quarrel with your great opposeless wills.

He considers Lausus rescuing his father at the Sbakspears.

hazard of his own life, as an image of himself OPPOSER, n.s. (from oppose.] One that

when he took Anchises on his shoulders, and

bore him safe through the rage of the tire and opposes; antagonist; enemy; rival.

the opposition of his enemies.

Dryden. Now the fair goddess fortune Fall deep in love with thee, and her great charms

3. Contrariety of affection.

They who never tried the experiment of a Misguide thy opposers swords : bold gentleman! Prosperity be thy page.

Sbakspeare.

holy life, measure the laws of God not by their Brave wits that have made essays worthy of

intrinsical goodness, but by the reluctancy and immortality; yet by reason of envious and

opposition which they find in their own hearts.

Tillotsona more popular opposers, have submitted to fate, and are almost lost in oblivion. Glanville. 4. Contrariety of interest; contrariety of

I do not see how the ministers could have continued in their stations, if their opposers had

When the church is taken for the persons agreed about the methods by which they should making profession of the christian faith, the cabe ruined.

Swift. tholick is often added in opposition to hereticks A hardy modern chief,

and schismaticks.

Pearson. A bold opposer of divine beliet. Blackmore,

5. Contrariety of meaning ; diversity of OʻPPOSITE. adj. (opposite, Fr. of positus,

meaning. Latin.]

The parts of every true opposition do always 1. Placed in front ; facing each other. both concern the same subject, and have rele. To th' other five,

rence to the same thing, sith otherwise they are Their planetary motions and aspects,

but in shew opposite, not in truth. Hooker, In sextile, square, trine and opposite;

The use of language and custom of speech, in Of noxious eificacy.

Milton's Par. Lost, all authors I have met with, has gone upon this 2. Adverse ; repugnant.

rule, or maxim, that exclusive terms are always Nothing of a foreign nature, like the trifling to be understood in opposition only to what they novels, by which the reader is misled into an- are opposed to, and not in opposition to what other sort of pleasure, opposite to that which is they are not opposed to.

Waterland. designed in an epick poem.

Dryden. 6. Inconsistency, This is a prospect very uneasy to the lusts and Reason can never permit the mind to reject a passions, and opposite to the strongest desires of greater evidence to embrace what is less evident, ficsh and blood.

Rogers. nor allow it to entertain probability in a position 3. Contrary:

to knowledge and certainty.

Locke. In this fallen state of man religion begins with TO OʻPPRESS. v.a. [oppressus, Latin.) repentance and conversion, the two opposite

Tilloison. terms of which are God and sin.

1. To crush by hardship or unreasonable

severity. Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite significations.

Locke.

Israel and Judah were oppressed together, and O'PPOSIT E. H. 5. Adversary; opponent ;

all that took them captives held them fast, they refused to let them

go. antagonist; enemy.

Jeremiah.

Alas! a mortal most opprest of those To the best and wisest, while they live, the Whom fate has loaded with a weight of woes. world is continually a froward opposite, a curious

Pope. observer of their defects and inperfections; their virtues it afterwards as much admireth.

2. To overpower ; to subdue. Hooker.

We're not ourselves, He is the most skilful, bloody, and fatal opo

When nature, being opprest, commands the

mind posite that you could have found in Illyria. Sboks.

To suffer with the body. The knight whom fate or happy chance

Sbakspeare.

In blazing height of noon,
Shall grace his arms so far in equal fight,
Froin out the bars to force his opposite,

The sun oppress'd, is plunged in thickest gloom. The prize of valour and of love shall gain. Dryd. OPPRÉ'ssion, n. s. Coppression, Fr. from

Thomson. OʻPPOSITELY. adv. [from opposite.]

oppress.] 1. In such a situation as to face each other. 1. The act of oppressing ; cruelty ; seve

The lesser pair are joined edge to edge, but rity. not oppositely with their points downward, but If thou seest the oppressions of the poor, marupward.

Grer.

vel not at the matter, for he that is higher than 2. Adversely.

the highest regardeth.

Ecclesiastes. I oft have seen, when corn was ripe to mow, 2. The state of being oppressed ; misery. And now in dry, and brittle straw did grow,

Famine is in thy cheeks; Winds from all quarters oppositely blow.

Need and oppression stare within thine eyes,

Contempt and beggary hang upon thy back. OʻPPOSITENESS. n. s. [from opposite.]

Shakespeare. The state of being opposite.

Cæsar himself has work, and our oppressian OPPOSITION. n. s. Copposition, Fr. oppo

Exceeds what we expected.

Shaksp. sitio, Latin.]

3. Hardship, calamity, 1. Situation so as to front something op

We are all subject to the same accidents; and

when we see any under particular oppression, we posed ; standing over against.

should look upon it as the common lot of human 2. Hostile resistance.

Addison. He Cry'd Oh! and mounted; found no opposition

4. Dulness of spirits ; lassitude of body. From what he look'd for should oppose. Skaksp.

Drousiness, oppression, heaviness, and lassiVirtue which breaks thro' opposition,

tude, are signs of a too plentiful meal. Arbutha And all temptation can remove,

OPPRESSIVE. adj. (from oppress.]

2

}

May:

nature.