adversative

American  

[ad-vur-suh-tiv] / ædˈvɜr sə tɪv /

adjective

1. expressing contrariety, opposition, or antithesis.

   “But” is an adversative conjunction.

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noun

1. an adversative word or proposition.

adversative British  

/ ədˈvɜːsətɪv /

adjective

1. (of a word, phrase, or clause) implying opposition or contrast. But and although are adversative conjunctions introducing adversative clauses

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noun

1. an adversative word or speech element

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• adversatively
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of adversative

1525–35; < Late Latin adversātīvus, equivalent to adversāt ( us ) (past participle of adversārī to resist; see adverse, -ate ¹) + -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Companies that in the past had an adversative relationship with conservation groups have begun to take actions that are more than public relations.

From Time Magazine Archive

We are made to sympathize with his terrible anguish, as the logic of his remorse-throbbing conscience leads him to the bitter adversative: "But 'tis too late—all hope is past."

From Vondel's Lucifer by Vondel, Joost van den

And if in volunteering him directions how to proceed, she had any purpose adversative to his, her note was without meaning.

From The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William

"Or" here is not the adversative conjunction but an entirely different word, an archaic variant of "ere," meaning "before."

From Coleridge's Ancient Mariner and Select Poems by Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

They accordingly emphasize the adversative idea, and are properly Subordinate Adversative Clauses.

From New Latin Grammar by Bennett, Charles E. (Charles Edwin)

Related Words

• antagonistic