opposable

American  

[uh-poh-zuh-buhl] / əˈpoʊ zə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being placed opposite to something else.

   the opposable thumb of primates.

2. capable of being resisted, fought, or opposed.

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opposable British  

/ əˈpəʊzəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being opposed

2. Also: apposable.  (of the thumb of primates, esp man) capable of being moved into a position facing the other digits so as to be able to touch the ends of each

3. capable of being placed opposite something else

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Other Word Forms

• nonopposable adjective
• opposability noun
• opposably adverb
• unopposable adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposable

First recorded in 1660–70; oppose + -able

Example Sentences

Unlike Lucy, the Burtele foot kept an opposable big toe, which would have been useful for climbing.

From Science Daily

And like everything else on this barbaric planet, they were designed for opposable thumbs.

From Literature

In fact, the scientists did not grab the treat with their second hand, therefore leading those monkeys that had opposable thumbs to be surprised when discovering it was still in the first hand.

From Salon

“A thumb, yes, because the opposable thumb is what differentiates us from beasts.”

From New York Times

Davy’s social media manager — presumably someone with aligned values and opposable thumbs — reacted to several news items during the season.

From Seattle Times