oppugnance

plural oppugnances · alternative oppugnacy · alternative oppugnancy · alternative oppugnation

1. countableobsoleteuncountableDislike, aversion, animus; opposition: the fact, condition, or instance of being at variance, opposed, hostile, or adverse.

   Their behaviour attracted a harsh oppugnance of public which was suppressed by use of police force.

   1977, S. M. L. Prachand, The Popular Upsurge and Fall of Congress, page 45

   5 more examples

   Whence then proceeds this strong oppugnance to / My faire proposition, efflagitation? if from your hate?

   1657, G. G. D'Ouvilly, The False Favourite Disgrac'd, London, act III, scene 1, page 58

   Power lodged absolutely by God[…]in the hands of Mortality, would really be an absurdity of the first magnitude; insomuch as, by constantly and unavoidably turning out despotic and tyrannical, it would daily and hourly rise up in oppugnance to Himself, his sovereign dominion and supreme administration; [...]

   1775, Layman, Strictures, Miscellaneous and Comparative, on the Churches of Rome, England and Scotland, Dublin: A. Kilburn, pages 334–335

   the author has said as much that is pleasant as possible, and as little that is disagreeable,—displaying Lord John's reforming services, making no mention of his shortcomings, backslidings, or oppugnances to popular advancement; […]

   1850 April 6, “News of the Week”, in The Spectator, volume 23, number 1136, page 313

   More, they [sc. angels] look upon these dark doings [i.e. dishonesty, evasion and circumventing, and reckless indulgence; hate, envy, pride, malice, and ambition] with infinite oppugnance—an oppugnance as much greater than we can feel as heaven is higher than earth.

   1859, Theodore Clapp, Theological Views, Boston: Abel Tompkins, page 347

   I know the secret of the universe.[…]The universe is in love.[…]It loves the lively birds and beasts and the strenuous men who feed on them and the beautiful microbes and tumors that feed on the men and most of all it loves the tremor and friction and oppugnance between its loves, and sets its teeth to the shock and thrill of them.

   1903, Ernest Crosby, “The Living Universe”, in Broad-cast, New York: Funk and Wagnalls, published 1905, pages 102–103

   Synonyms: dislike, animosity, aversion, animus, opposition, resistance, contrariety, contrariness