ANTIPERIS'TASIS, noun [Gr. against, and a standing around.] The opposition of a contrary quality, by which the quality opposed acquires strength; or the action by which a body attacked collects force by opposition; or the intention of the activity of one quality by the opposition of another. Thus quick-lime is set on fire, or sensible heat is excited in it, by mixture with water; and cold applied to the human body may increase its heat.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI