obverse

American  

[ob-vurs, ob-vurs, ob-vurs] / ˈɒb vɜrs, ɒbˈvɜrs, ˈɒb vɜrs /

noun

1. the side of a coin, medal, flag, etc., that bears the principal design (opposed to reverse).

2. the front or principal surface of anything.

3. a counterpart.

4. Logic. a proposition obtained from another by obversion.

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adjective

1. facing the observer.

2. corresponding to something else as a counterpart.

3. having the base narrower than the top, as a leaf.

obverse British  

/ ˈɒbvɜːs /

adjective

1. facing or turned towards the observer

2. forming or serving as a counterpart

3. (of certain plant leaves) narrower at the base than at the top

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noun

1. a counterpart or complement

2. the side of a coin that bears the main design or device Compare reverse

3. logic a categorial proposition derived from another by replacing the original predicate by its negation and changing the proposition from affirmative to negative or vice versa, as no sum is correct from every sum is incorrect

Other Word Forms

• obversely
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of obverse

1650–60; < Latin obversus turned toward or against (past participle of obvertere ), equivalent to ob- ob- + vert ( ere ) to turn + -tus past participle suffix, with tt > s

Explanation

The obverse is the main, or primary, side of something that has two sides. The obverse of a quarter is the side with the handsome profile of George Washington on it. Obverse is very often used to mean "the front of a coin or medal," although you can also use it to describe the principal or more obvious side of anything with a front and a back. Confusingly, this word also means "the opposite," as in, "Your messy room is the obverse of your idea of yourself as a tidy person." The Latin root helps to explain this seeming conflict between meanings — obversus means both "directed toward" and "turned against."

Example Sentences

Obverse Books' 'Team Up' of Paul Magrs and George Mann Like wedges, blue eyeshadow and harem pants, the tête-bêche is making one of its periodic returns to favour.

From The Guardian • Jul. 28, 2011

But take the examples given of the Formal Obverse or Permutation, "All men are fallible".

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William

Most authorities would give as the Formal Obverse of this, "No men are infallible".

From Logic, Inductive and Deductive by Minto, William

In order, however, to facilitate a comparison with Langdon’s edition, a table is added: Obverse Col.

From An Old Babylonian Version of the Gilgamesh Epic by Jastrow, Morris

The Obverse of I., E. or O. may be verified in a similar manner.

From Logic Deductive and Inductive by Read, Carveth