converse#

conversation, converse communion, communication, *intercourse, commerce, traffic, dealings, correspondence

Analogous words: conversing, talking or talk, speaking or speech (see corresponding verbs at SPEAK)

converse vb talk, *speak

Analogous words: *express, voice, broach, air, ventilate, vent, utter: *chat, chatter, gabble: *gossip, tattle: *discourse, descant, expatiate, dilate

converse n see CONVERSATION

converse n Converse, obverse, reverse are frequently confused when they mean something which is the opposite of another thing.

Converse applies chiefly to statements or to propositions; typically it implies an interchange or transposition of the important terms

{

the relation of wife to husband is called the converse of the relation of husband to wife— Russell

}

{

the converse of "none but the brave deserves the fair" is "none but the fair deserves the brave"

}

Converse is not to be confused with contradictory (see under OPPOSITE adj) so long as the important terms are transposed, one proposition is the converse of another whether or not it is its opposite

{

the feeling that society needs protection against the individual rather than the converse— Brownell

}

Obverse and reverse specifically apply to the two faces of a coin or medal, obverse applying to the one containing the head or principal inscription, reverse to the other; in more general use, obverse refers to the more, reverse to the less, apparent or intentionally conspicuous side or face of something

{

looking at the fair tapestry of Life, with its royal and even sacred figures, he dwells not on the obverse alone, but here chiefly on the reverse; and indeed turns out the rough seams, tatters, and manifold thrums of that unsightly wrong side— Carlyle

}

Analogous words: opposite, contrary, antithesis, contradictory (see under OPPOSITE adj)