opponent

Where does the word "opponent" come from? It comes from Latin ob ponere, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s).

Opponent’s story begins in Latin: ob ponere meant “to put against.” To put against, from ob- (against) and ponere (to place). Within Latin, it grew into opponens by ancient. Placing oneself against, present participle of opponere. It reached English by 1500s as opponent. Settled as the English word for a person who competes against another. Today, opponent means a person who competes against or argues against another.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient ob ponere "to put against", to put against, from ob- (against) and ponere (to place).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient opponens "placing oneself against", placing oneself against, present participle of opponere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s opponent "a person who competes or argues against another", settled as the English word for a person who competes against another.