apposition

[ap-uh-zish-uh n] /ˌæp əˈzɪʃ ən/
noun
1.
the act of placing together or bringing into proximity; juxtaposition.
2.
the addition or application of one thing to another thing.
3.
Grammar. a syntactic relation between expressions, usually consecutive, that have the same function and the same relation to other elements in the sentence, the second expression identifying or supplementing the first. In Washington, our first president, the phrase our first president is in apposition with Washington.
4.
Biology. growth of a cell wall by the deposition of new particles in layers on the wall.
Compare intussusception (def 2).
Origin
1400-50; late Middle English apposicioun < Late Latin appositiōn- (stem of appositiō) < Latin apposit(us) (see apposite) + -iōn- -ion
Related forms
appositional, adjective
appositionally, adverb
Can be confused
apposition, opposition.
British Dictionary definitions for apposition

apposition

/ˌæpəˈzɪʃən/
noun
1.
a putting into juxtaposition
2.
a grammatical construction in which a word, esp a noun phrase, is placed after another to modify its meaning
3.
(biology) growth in the thickness of a cell wall by the deposition of successive layers of material Compare intussusception (sense 2)
Derived Forms
appositional, adjective
Word Origin and History for apposition
n.

"application" (of one thing to another), mid-15c., originally in grammatical sense, from Latin appositionem (nominative appositio), noun of action from past participle stem of apponere "to put to" (see apposite). General sense is from 1540s.

apposition in Medicine

apposition ap·po·si·tion (āp'ə-zĭsh'ən)
n.

  1. The putting in contact of two parts or substances.

  2. The condition of being placed or fitted together.

  3. The growth of successive layers of a cell wall.

ap'po·si'tion·al adj.
ap'po·si'tion·al·ly adv.