1. Acting against, or in a contrary direction; opposed; contrary; opposite; conflicting; as, adverse winds; an adverse party; a spirit adverse to distinctions of caste.
2. Opposite. "Calpe's adverse height." Byron.
3. In hostile opposition to; unfavorable; unpropitious; contrary to one's wishes; unfortunate; calamitous; afflictive; hurtful; as, adverse fates, adverse circumstances, things adverse. Happy were it for us all if we bore prosperity as well and wisely as we endure an adverse fortune. Southey. Adverse possession (Law), a possession of real property avowedly contrary to some claim of title in another person. Abbott.
Syn.
— Averse; reluctant; unwilling. See Averse.
ADVERSE
Ad*verse", v. t. Etym: [L. adversari: cf. OF. averser.]
Defn: To oppose; to resist. [Obs.] Gower.
ADVERSELY
Ad"verse*ly (277), adv.
Defn: In an adverse manner; inimically; unfortunately; contrariwise.
ADVERSENESS
Ad"verse*ness, n.
Defn: The quality or state of being adverse; opposition.