Syn. -- Occasion; convenience; occurrence. -- Opportunity, Occasion. An
occasion is that which falls in our way, or presents itself in the
course of events; an opportunity is a convenience or fitness of time,
place, etc., for the doing of a thing. Hence, occasions often make
opportunities. The occasion of sickness may give opportunity for
reflection.
Op*pos`a*bil"i*ty (?), n. The condition or quality of being opposable.
In no savage have I ever seen the slightest approach to
opposability of the great toe, which is the essential
distinguishing feature of apes.
A. R. Wallace.
Op*pos"a*ble (?), a. 1. Capable of being opposed or resisted.
2. Capable of being placed opposite something else; as, the thumb is
opposable to the forefinger.
Op*pos"al (?), n. Opposition. [R.] Sir T. Herbert.
Op*pose" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Opposed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Opposing.] [F. opposer. See Ob-, Pose, and cf.2d Appose, Puzzle, n.
Cf.L. opponere, oppositum.] 1. To place in front of, or over against;
to set opposite; to exhibit.
Her grace sat down . . . In a rich chair of state; opposing freely
The beauty of her person to the people.
Shak.
2. To put in opposition, with a view to counterbalance or countervail;
to set against; to offer antagonistically.