binary opposition

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noun Linguistics.

a relation between the members of a pair of linguistic items, as a pair of distinctive features, such that one is the absence of the other, as voicelessness and voice, or that one is at the opposite pole from the other, as stridency and mellowness.

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Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

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Origin of binary opposition

First recorded in 1950–55

Words nearby binary opposition

binary form, binary notation, binary number, binary number system, binary operation, binary opposition, binary pulsar, binary star, binary system, binary weapon, binasal hemianopsia

How to use binary opposition in a sentence

There was a lot of positive feedback from people interested in non-gender binary people.
Grindr’s Trans Dating Problem|David Levesley|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
First, as opposition to gay marriage collapses, American anti-LGBT activists will slow their battle against it.
‘Only God’ Can Stop Gay Marriage|Tim Mak|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The bill, which passed Congress without opposition, is only a temporary fix and expires in 2015.
Nazis, Sunscreen, and Sea Gull Eggs: Congress in 2014 Was Hella Productive|Ben Jacobs|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The opposition responded with a month-long Occupy Abay (like Occupy Wall St) campaign, in which Udaltsov was one of key figures.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Other journalists and opposition activists languish in prison on similar charges.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never had Punch secured the telling of that tale with so little opposition.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
"You are very sure of opposition—strangely sure, monsieur," said Garnache, looking him between the eyes.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
Wait patiently until your side move over from the Opposition to the Government benches.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 107, November 3, 1894|Various
At the store he would never have given in, but he was not accustomed to hearing so loud a murmur of approval greet the opposition.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
The Alcaid and his officers seized the favourable moment, and entered the house without opposition.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter