I.v. n., to set, place, or post one's self before any thing (class.; syn.: adversor, repugno).
I. In gen.: “hic obsistam, ne, etc.,” will station myself, Plaut. Mil. 2, 3, 62: “alicui obviam,” to plant one's self in another's way, id. Capt. 4, 2, 11: “obsistens obtestansque,” Liv. 2, 10, 3: “plures abeunti Volumnio obsistere,” id. 10, 19.—
II. In partic.
A. To set one's self against; to oppose, resist, withstand: “qui cum obsistere ac defendere conarentur,” Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 43, § 94: “omnibus ejus consiliis,” id. Cat. 3, 7, 17: “dolori,” id. Tusc. 2, 12, 28: “odiis,” id. Off. 2, 7, 23: “vitiis,” id. ib. 2, 10, 37: “visis,” to disapprove of, id. Fin. 3, 9, 31: “opinionibus,” id. Ac. 2, 34, 108. —With inf.: “obstitit Oceanus in se simul atque in Herculem inquiri,” opposes, forbids, Tac. G. 34.—With ne: “Histiaeus Miletus ne res conficeretur obstitit,” Nep. Milt. 3, 5: “obstitisti, ne ex Italiā transire in Siciliam fugitivorum copiae possent,” Cic. Verr. 2, 5, 2, § 5.—With quominus: “quae si cui obstitit, quominus referret gratiam, etc.,” Sen. Ben. 5, 5, 3.—Impers. pass.: “magnitudine animi facile posset repugnari obsistique fortunae,” Cic. Fin. 4, 7, 17.—
1. Over against, opposite: “luna radios solis obstiti vel adversi usurpat,” App. de Deo Socr. p. 42.—
2. Lit., opposing, inimical; hence, in augury, struck by lightning: obstitum Cloatius et Aelius Stilo esse aiunt violatum attactumque de caelo. Cincius quom qui deo deaeque obstiterit id est qui viderit, quod videri nefas esset, Paul. ex Fest. p. 193 Müll.: “FVLGVRA ATQVE OBSTITA PIANTO,” Cic. Leg. 2, 9, 21.
