antithesis
UK[ænˈtɪθəsɪs]US[ænˈtɪθəsɪs]
n
the exact opposite of something
n
a contrast or opposition between two things
n
(in philosophy, especially hegelian) the negation of the thesis as the second stage in the process of dialectical reasoning
Morpheme Breakdown
anti
thesis
anti
against, opposite
thesis
proposition, statement
Etymology
the word 'antithesis' is a direct borrowing from late latin, which itself came from greek 'antithesis', meaning 'opposition'. it is a compound of 'anti-' (against) and 'thesis' (a placing, a proposition). the greek 'thesis' derives from the verb 'tithenai' (to put, to place), a concept traceable to the pie root dhe- (to set, put). thus, the literal sense of 'a placing against' evolved logically into the modern abstract meanings of direct opposition, contrast, and the rhetorical or philosophical counter-proposition.
Analysis
Structure: anti (against, opposite) + thesis (proposition, statement)
anti is a prefix from greek, meaning 'against' or 'opposite'. thesis is a noun-forming element from greek, meaning 'a proposition, a setting down'.
Examples
the idea of freedom is the antithesis of slavery.
his chaotic painting style is the complete antithesis of classical minimalism.
in the essay, the author presents the thesis and its antithesis before offering a synthesis.