Contrary
Pronunciation
- UK IPA: /ˈkɒntɹəɹi/
- US IPA: /ˈkɑntɹɛɹi/
- Rhymes: -ɛəɹi
Origin
From Middle English contrarie, also contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrarius ("opposite, opposed, contrary"), from contra ("against").
Full definition of contrary
Adjective
contrary
- Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.contrary winds
- Bible, Leviticus xxvi. 21And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me...
- ShakespeareWe have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way.
- Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
- WhewellThe doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.
- Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.a contrary disposition; a contrary child
Derived terms
Noun
contrary
(plural contraries)- The opposite.
- ShakespeareNo contraries hold more antipathy
Than I and such a knave. - One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true.
- I. WattsIf two universals differ in quality, they are contraries; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Verb
- (obsolete) To oppose; to frustrate.
- Bishop LatimerI was advised not to contrary the king.
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, I.47:The Athenians having left the enemie in their owne land, for to pass into Sicilie, had very ill successe, and were much contraried by fortune ....
- (obsolete) To impugn.
- (obsolete) To contradict (someone or something).
- 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book X:‘Madame,’ seyde Sir Palomydes, ‘ye may say what ye woll – I may nat contrary you – but, by my knyghthod, I knew nat my lorde Sir Trystram.’
- 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:I finde them everie one in his turne to have reason, although they contrary one another.
- (obsolete) To do the opposite of (someone or something).
- (obsolete) To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to.
- (obsolete) To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
- (obsolete) To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.