Persons living at diametrically opposite points of the globe, so that their feet are directed toward each other; persons who live on the side of the globe opposite to others. Your Antipodes are a good rascally sort of topsie turvy Fellows — If I had a Bumper I'd stand upon my Head and drink a Health to 'em. Congreve, Way of the World, iv. 10.
Two places on the surface of the globe diametrically opposite to each other; the country or region on the opposite side of the globe.
Figuratively, things opposed to each other: as a singular, anything diametrically adverse or opposed to another thing belonging to the same general order; a contrary. In the latter sense sometimes used in the singular form antipode (which see). Can there be a greater contrariety unto Christ's judgment, a more perfect antipodes to all that hath hitherto been gospel? Hammond, Sermons.Minds, the antipodes of each other in temper and endowment, alike feel the force of his [Dante's] attraction. Lowell, Among my Books, 2d ser., p. 39.
Christmas at the antipodes is of course midsummer, and I was not loth to describe the troubles to which my own son had been subjected, by the mingled accidents of heat and bad neighbours, on his station in the bush.
—
Autobiography of Anthony Trollope
You will dispatch whatever luggage you intend to take by a trusty messenger unaddressed to Victoria to-night.
—
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
It was useless for me to explain to him that his presence was an intrusion, for my Italian was even more limited than his English, so I shrugged my shoulders resignedly, and continued to look out anxiously for my friend.
—
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes
Middle English, people with feet opposite ours, from Latin, from Greek, from pl. of antipous, with the feet opposite : anti-, anti- + pous, pod-, foot; see ped- in Indo-European roots.