with significance the reverse of that in the ancient amphitheatre

[kadioguy]

From the OED

... with significance the reverse of that in the ancient amphitheatre
---
I don't understand the red text. Why is there no preposition or something between "significance" and "the reverse"?

 

[emsr2d2]

It's a shortened form of "with its significance being the reverse of that in ancient amphitheatre". In those days, thumbs up was bad, thumbs down was good.

 

[emsr2d2]

Remember that space in dictionaries (even online ones) is at a premium so definitions frequently contain contractions and omitted words.

 

[kadioguy]

It's a shortened form of "with its significance being the reverse of that in ancient amphitheatre". In those days, thumbs up was bad, thumbs down was good.

Which of the following does "significance" here mean?

1. the quality of being important : the quality of having notable worth or influence
2. the meaning of something
https://learnersdictionary.com/definition/significance

I think that it means (2) here, right?

 

[emsr2d2]

Which of the following does "significance" here mean?

1. the quality of being important : the quality of having notable worth or influence
2. the meaning of something
https://learnersdictionary.com/definition/significance

I think that it means (2) here, right?

You're right. Having said that, it also happens to be a significant (important) difference in usage!

 

[jutfrank]

I'd say with significance here means 'importantly'.

From the OED

Really? Where exactly? Could you provide a link?

 

[emsr2d2]

I'd say with significance here means 'importantly'.

Initially, I thought the same and was going to reply saying that a comma was needed after "significance" but I had a rethink when I considered the brevity required with dictionary definitions.

 

[kadioguy]

Really? Where exactly? Could you provide a link?

From its website. But I'm afriad that it is not for free.

 

[probus]

As I've often remarked, dictionaries vary both in their goals and their quality. But I continue to believe that those produced by Oxford are absolutely reliable.