First Known Use: circa 1656
Dictionary
1obverse
adjective ob·verse \äb-ˈvərs, əb-, ˈäb-ˌ\
Definition of OBVERSE
1
: facing the observer or opponent
2
: having the base narrower than the top <an obverse leaf>
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Origin of OBVERSE
2obverse
noun ob·verse \ˈäb-ˌvərs, äb-ˈ, əb-ˈ\
: something that is the opposite of something else
Full Definition of OBVERSE
1
: the side of a coin or currency note bearing the chief device and lettering; broadly : a front or principal surface
2
: 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>
3
: 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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First Known Use of OBVERSE
1658
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