I. əbˈvərs, (ˈ)äb|v-, -və̄s, -vəis adjective
Etymology: Latin obversus, past participle of obvertere to turn towards
1. : facing the observer or opponent — opposed to reverse
2. : having the base or end next the attachment narrower than the top or free end
an obverse tool
an obverse leaf
3. : constituting a counterpart or complement
• ob·verse·ly adverb
II. ˈäbˌvərs, äbˈvərs, -və̄s, -vəis noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin obversus, past participle of obvertere
1.
a. : the side of a coin, token, medal, or currency note that is considered the front and that bears the principal device and lettering ; broadly : a front or principal surface
b. : the more conspicuous of two possible sides, things, or cases
the obverse of this situation
2.
a. : a counterpart necessarily involved in or answering to a fact or truth
b. logic : a proposition which may be inferred immediately from another and in which the quality of the given proposition is changed, the subject term remains unaltered, and the predicate is the negative of that which is given
the obverse of “all A is B ” is “no A is not B ”
Synonyms: see converse
III. noun
: a counterpart having the opposite orientation or force
their rise was merely the obverse of the Empire's fall — A.J.Toynbee
also : opposite 3
joy and its obverse , sorrow