O"ple tree` (?). [L. opulus a kind of maple tree.] The witch-hazel.
[Obs.] Ainsworth.
{ Op`o*bal"sam (?), ||Op`o*bal"sa*mum (?), } n. [L. opobalsamum, Gr.
&?;; &?; vegetable juice + &?; balsam.] (Med.) The old name of the
aromatic resinous juice of the Balsamodendron opobalsamum, now commonly
called balm of Gilead. See under Balm.
Op`o*del"doc (?), n. [So called by Paracelsus. The first syllable may
be fr. Gr. &?; vegetable juice.]
1. A kind of plaster, said to have been invented by Mindererus, -- used
for external injuries. [Obs.]
2. A saponaceous, camphorated liniment; a solution of soap in alcohol,
with the addition of camphor and essential oils; soap liniment.
O*pop"a*nax (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. &?;; &?; vegetable juice + &?;, &?;. a
kind of plant: cf. F. opopanax.] The inspissated juice of an
umbelliferous plant (the Opoponax Chironum), brought from Turkey and
the East Indies in loose granules, or sometimes in larger masses, of a
reddish yellow color, with specks of white. It has a strong smell and
acrid taste, and was formerly used in medicine as an emmenagogue and
antispasmodic. Dunglison.
O*pos"sum (?), n. [Of N. American Indian origin.] (Zoöl.) Any American
marsupial of the genera Didelphys and Chironectes. The common species
of the United States is Didelphys Virginiana.
Several related species are found in South America. The water opossum
of Brazil (Chironectes variegatus), which has the hind feet, webbed, is
provided with a marsupial pouch and with cheek pouches. It is called
also yapock.
Opossum mouse. (Zoöl.) See Flying mouse, under Flying. -- Opossum
shrimp (Zoöl.), any schizopod crustacean of the genus Mysis and allied
genera. See Schizopoda.
Op"pi*dan (?), a. [L. oppidanus, fr. oppidum town.] Of or pertaining to
a town. Howell.
Op"pi*dan, n. 1. An inhabitant of a town.
2. A student of Eton College, England, who is not a King's scholar, and
who boards in a private family.
Op*pig"ner*ate (?), v. i. [L. oppigneratus, p. p. of oppignerare to
pawn. See Ob- , and Pignerate.] To pledge; to pawn. [Obs.] Bacon.
Op"pi*late (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Oppilated (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Oppilating (?).] [L. oppilatus, p. p. of oppilare to stop up; ob (see
Ob-) + pilare to ram down, to thrust.] To crowd together; to fill with
obstructions; to block up. [Obs.] Cockeram.
Op`pi*la"tion (?), n. [L. oppilatio: cf. F. opilation.] The act of
filling or crowding together; a stopping by redundant matter;
obstruction, particularly in the lower intestines. Jer. Taylor.
Op`pi*la*tive (?), a. [Cf. F. opilatif. See Oppilate.] Obstructive.
[Obs.] Sherwood.
{ Op*plete" (?), Op*plet"ed (?), } a. [L. oppletus, p. p. of opplere to
fill up; ob (see Ob-) + plere to fill.] Filled; crowded. [Obs.]
Johnson.
Op*ple"tion (?), n. The act of filling up, or the state of being filled
up; fullness. [Obs.]
Op*pone" (?), v. t. [L. opponere. See Opponent.] To oppose. [Obs.] B.
Jonson.
Op*po"nen*cy (?), n. The act of opening an academical disputation; the
proposition of objections to a tenet, as an exercise for a degree.
[Eng.] Todd.
Op*po"nent (?), a. [L. opponens, -entis, p. pr. of opponere to set or
place against, to oppose; ob (see Ob-) + ponere to place. See
Position.] Situated in front; opposite; hence, opposing; adverse;
antagonistic. Pope.
Op*po"nent, n. 1. One who opposes; an adversary; an antagonist; a foe.
Macaulay.
2. One who opposes in a disputation, argument, or other verbal
controversy; specifically, one who attacks some theirs or proposition,
in distinction from the respondent, or defendant, who maintains it.
How becomingly does Philopolis exercise his office, and seasonably
commit the opponent with the respondent, like a long-practiced
moderator!
Dr. H. More.
Syn. -- Antagonist; opposer; foe. See Adversary.
Op`por*tune" (?), a. [F. opporiun, L. opportunus, lit., at or before
the port; ob (see Ob-) + a derivative of portus port, harbor. See Port
harbor.] Convenient; ready; hence, seasonable; timely. Milton.
This is most opportune to our need.
Shak.
-- Op`por*tune"ly, adv. -- Op`por*tune"ness, n.
Op`por*tune", v. t. To suit. [Obs.] Dr. Clerke(1637).
Op`por*tun"ism (?), n. [Cf. F. opportunisme.] The art or practice of
taking advantage of opportunities or circumstances, or of seeking
immediate advantage with little regard for ultimate consequences.
[Recent]
Op`por*tun"ist, n. [Cf. F. opportuniste.] One who advocates or
practices opportunism. [Recent]
Op`por*tu"ni*ty (?), n.; pl. Opportunities (#). [F. opportunité, L.
opportunitas. See Opportune.] 1. Fit or convenient time; a time or
place favorable for executing a purpose; a suitable combination of
conditions; suitable occasion; chance.
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.
Bacon.