obverse
/ˈɒbvɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːbvɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · /äb-ˈvərs əb-, ˈäb-ˌvərs/ (ame, mw)
obverse — noun
1. the opposite or contrary version of an idea, situation, or quality — for example
the opposite or contrary version of an idea, situation, or quality — for example, generosity is the obverse of greed, and joy is the obverse of sadness.
Reuben argued that public courage is often the obverse of private fear.
the obverse of [abstract noun] for contrasting opposites
In Sayaka's essay, freedom appears as the obverse of duty rather than its enemy.
the obverse of [noun] rather than its enemy: contrastive framing
The minister claimed that strict rules are the obverse of true kindness.
Cheap goods on the shop floor are the obverse of poor wages in the factory.
Eitan saw kindness toward animals as the obverse of cruelty toward people.
- opposite
everyday word for the same idea; far more common than 'obverse'
- converse
very close in this sense; equally formal and used in logic and argument
- counterpart
a matching opposite that completes a pair, not necessarily a contrary
- same
in the sense of identical rather than contrary
文法句型
the obverse of [noun]
用法筆記
Subject is almost always an abstract noun (a feeling, value, policy, or condition). Distinguish from sense 2 (the coin face): only sense 2 takes a physical object as its referent.
常見錯誤
2. the front face of a coin, medal, or banknote — the side that shows the most impo
the front face of a coin, medal, or banknote — the side that shows the most important picture, such as a head, ruler, or national symbol.
Lakan polished the silver coin and pointed to the queen's head on the obverse.
on the obverse: standard preposition for coin faces
The British penny shows the monarch on the obverse and Britannia on the reverse.
obverse paired with reverse: standard collector contrast
Lara found that the obverse of the medal was scratched and the date was unreadable.
Museum staff laid each gold coin face down so the obverse was protected.
On the obverse of the new ten-dollar note, the artist drew a young farmer.
- reverse
the standard pair word for the back side of a coin or medal
文法句型
the obverse of [a coin/medal]
用法筆記
Almost always paired in context with 'reverse' (the back side). Subject of the prepositional phrase is a coin, medal, banknote, or commemorative token — not any other flat object. Distinguish from sense 1 (the abstract opposite): only sense 1 takes an abstract noun.
常見錯誤
obverse — adjective
- obversepositive
- more obversecomparative
- most obversesuperlative
1. turned toward the person looking at it or toward an opponent — for example, the
turned toward the person looking at it or toward an opponent — for example, the obverse face of a stone tablet is the one a visitor reads first.
Luca traced the carved letters on the obverse face of the old temple stone.
obverse face of [object]: attributive use
The obverse side of the shield was painted with a red dragon.
obverse side of [object]: typical collocation
Chidi photographed the obverse surface of the medal before sending it for repair.
Rania asked the guide why the obverse wall of the tomb had no paintings.
- reverse
the standard pair word for the back-facing side
文法句型
obverse [side / face / surface]
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive). Typical nouns: 'side', 'face', 'surface', 'wall'. Distinguish from sense 3 (purely abstract opposite): sense 1 always refers to a physical face that someone can see.
常見錯誤
2. shaped like an egg balanced on its small end — wider near the tip than at the st
shaped like an egg balanced on its small end — wider near the tip than at the stem, used in botany for leaves and petals such as a daisy petal.
Tara drew the obverse leaves of the young tree for her biology notebook.
obverse [leaves]: botanical attributive use
The plant has small obverse petals that open like tiny green spoons in the sun.
small obverse [petals]: descriptive plant context
Christopher noticed the obverse shape of the seed pods as he walked through the field.
Botany students learn to tell obverse leaves from oval leaves by checking the base.
- obovate
the precise botanical Latin term; used in formal plant descriptions
- ovate
wider at the base than at the top; the standard contrasting leaf shape
文法句型
obverse [leaf / shape]
用法筆記
A specialist botanical term; rarely seen outside plant guides and biology lessons. Used only before a noun (attributive). Distinguish from sense 1 (a forward-facing physical face): sense 2 refers only to a tapering shape, not to a side.
常見錯誤
3. forming the contrary version of an idea, claim, or position — for example, an ob
forming the contrary version of an idea, claim, or position — for example, an obverse argument states the opposite of what another speaker is saying.
Élise offered an obverse argument: poverty, not wealth, drives most great inventions.
obverse argument: contrastive proposal in debate
The judge wanted to hear the obverse position before reaching a final ruling.
obverse position: legal-style framing
Andrew wrote an obverse claim that quiet study, not group work, helps weak students most.
Brooke suggested an obverse reading of the poem, in which the lake stands for death.
- same
in the sense of identical rather than contrary
文法句型
the obverse [argument / position / claim]
用法筆記
Used only before a noun (attributive). Typical nouns: 'argument', 'position', 'claim', 'reading', 'view'. Distinguish from sense 1 (a physical facing surface): sense 3 always modifies an abstract noun.