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apposition Definition

ap·po·si·tion (ap′ə zis̸h′ən)

noun

  1. an apposing or being apposed; putting side by side
  2. the position resulting from this
  3. Gram.
    1. the placing of a word or expression beside another so that the second explains and has the same grammatical construction as the first
    2. the relationship between such terms (Ex.: my cousin is in apposition with Mary in “Mary, my cousin, is here”)

Etymology: L appositio, a setting before < appositus: see appose

apposition Related Forms
ap′·po·si′·tional adjective ap′·po·si′·tion·ally adverb
apposition Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • lid: The watering was caused by poor apposition of the lid to the globe caused by shortening of the lid secondary to excess skin removal.

Adjective modifier

  • close: Talk on Close apposition at the Functional Grammar Colloquium, Amsterdam, 15 Feb 2002.
  • poor: The watering was caused by poor apposition of the lid to the globe caused by shortening of the lid secondary to excess skin removal.
  • direct: Closed wounds At the end of an operation wound edges are brought together in direct apposition ( primary wound closure ).

Noun used with modifier

  • bayonet: Bayonet apposition with 1-2 cm of shortening can be accepted.