sb. pl. [a. L. antipodes, a. Gr. (οἱ) ἀντίποδες (in sense 1 below), pl. of ἀντίπους having the feet opposite, f. ἀντί opposite + πούς foot (whence also a sing. ANTIPOS). Formerly (quite regularly) three syllables, an-ti-pod(e)s, and hence having a sing. antipod, -pode (cf. apod, apode, decapod), still in use in certain senses; cf. Fr. antipode, -s.]
† 1. Those who dwell directly opposite to each other on the globe, so that the soles of their feet are as it were planted against each other; esp. those who occupy this position in regard to us. Obs.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XV. lii. (1495), 506. Yonde in Ethiopia ben the Antipodes, men that haue theyr fete ayenst our fete.
1556. Recorde, Cast. Knowl., 93. People … called of the Greeks and Latines also ἀντίποδες, Antipodes, as you might say Counterfooted, or Counterpasers.
1596. Shaks., Merch. Ven., V. i. 127. We should hold day with the Antipodes, If you would walke in absence of the sunne.
1682. in Phil. Collect., XII. 181. These Antipodes … indeavoured to begin a truck or Merchandize with the Yacht.
1788. V. Knox, Winter Even., I. III. vii. 275. Men, placed as the Antipodes are represented.
1837. Whewell, Hist. Induct. Sc. (1857), I. 195. The existence of Antipodes, or persons inhabiting the opposite side of the globe.
† 2. fig. Those who in any way resemble the dwellers on the opposite side of the globe. Obs.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. 9. He will neuer be one of the Antipodes, to tread opposite to the present world.
1611. A. Stafford, Niobe, To Reader. My soul is an antipode, and treads opposite to the present world.
1642. Fuller, Holy & Prof. St., I. ii. 32. Christians were forced to be Antipodes to other men, so that when it was night with others, it was day with them.
1688. in De Foe, Mem. Ch. Scotl., IV. 99. Antipodes to all Mankind, Enemies to Government.
3. Places on the surfaces of the earth directly opposite to each other, or the place that is directly opposite to another; esp. the region directly opposite to our own.
1549. Compl. Scotl., vi. 50. The place that is direct contrar til our zenyth is callit antipodes. Ibid., 51. Lactantius firmien … scornis the mathematiciens that effermis antipodos.
1599. Shaks., Much Ado, II. i. 273. I will goe on the slightest arrand now to the Antypodes.
1642. Howell, For. Trav. (Arb.), 33. From the remotest parts of the Earth … yea from the very Antipods.
1879. A. R. Wallace, Australasia, i. New Zealand, almost the antipodes of Britain.
4. transf. The exact opposite of a person or thing. (In this sense the sing. antipode is still used.)
1641. Ld. Digby, Parl. Sp., 19 Jan., 15. Would not one sweare that this were the Antipodes to the other?
a. 1667. Cowley, Avarice, Wks. 1710, II. 754. Having nothing, he has all: This is just his Antipode, who, having all things, yet has nothing.
1682. Sir T. Browne, Chr. Mor. (1756), 32. Fools … are antipodes unto the wise.
1792. Burns, Lett., Wks. (Globe ed.), 504. That antipode of folly … the wise and willy Willie Nicol.
1809. Knox & Jebb, Corr., I. 515. I soberly believe, that selfishness is the very antipode of self-love.
1863. Mrs. C. Clarke, Shaks. Char., v. 120. Iago is the direct antipodes to Michael Cassio.
1867. G. Macdonald, Alec Forbes, xviii. 77. Forbes he hated, for he was the very antipode to … himself.
b. phr. At antipodes: in direct opposition.
1868. A. K. H. Boyd, Lessons Mid. Age (1869), 184. When you feel that you are at antipodes with a man on almost all points.
† 5. As adv. (orig. sb. in apposition) in phrases like To walk antipodes to. Obs.
1643. Char. Oxf. Incend., in Harl. Misc. (1745), V. 474/2. The Man lives towards the Sun-setting, treads Antipodes of late to Victory.
1692. Bentley, Boyle Lect., vii. 236. Two Vessels, placed there, Antipodes to each other.
a. 1718. Penn, Tracts, Wks. I. 493. He walkt Antipodes to the Genius of that Age.
