RI'VAL, noun [Latin rivalis; Heb. to contend, to strive. See Raffle.] 1. One who is in pursuit of the same object as another; one striving to reach or obtain something which another is attempting to obtain, and which one only can possess; a competitor; as rivals in love; rivals for a crown. Love will not patiently bear a rival 2. One striving to equal or exceed another in excellence; as two rivals in eloquence. 3. An antagonist; a competitor in any pursuit or strife. RI'VAL, adjective Having the same pretensions or claims; standing in competition for superiority; as rival lovers; rival claims or pretensions. Equal in years and rival in renown. RI'VAL, verb transitive 1. To stand in competition with; to strive to gain the object which another is contending for; as, to rival one in love. 2. To strive to equal or excel; to emulate. To rival thunder in its rapid course. RI'VAL, verb intransitive To be competitors. [Not in use.]
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI