In grammar, describing a word or phrase that shows contrast or opposition, like 'but' or 'however'.
From Latin 'adversativus' (opposing, contrary) based on 'adversus' (turned against). The English grammatical term was adopted in the 18th century to classify conjunctions and adverbs that signal contradiction or contrast between ideas.
Grammarians use this technical term to describe words that create friction between ideas—'adversative conjunctions' are the linguistic tools that force readers to reconsider, making them surprisingly powerful in writing and persuasion.
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