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Contrary

//ˈkɑntɹɛɹi// adj, adv, noun, verb

Definitions

Adjective
  1. 1
    Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

    "contrary winds"

  2. 2
    Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.

    "Galileo [Galilei]'s zeal for his opinions soon led him again to bring the question under the notice of the Pope, and the result was a declaration of the Inquisition that the doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred scripture."

  3. 3
    Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.

    "a contrary disposition; a contrary child"

Adjective
  1. 1
    in an opposing direction wordnet
  2. 2
    resistant to guidance or discipline wordnet
  3. 3
    very opposed in nature or character or purpose wordnet
  4. 4
    of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true but both may be false wordnet
Adverb
  1. 1
    Contrarily

    "I never act contrary to my principles."

Noun
  1. 1
    The opposite.

    "No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave."

  2. 2
    a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false wordnet
  3. 3
    One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.

    "If 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."

  4. 4
    exact opposition wordnet
  5. 5
    A type of loaded die. historical
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  1. 6
    a relation of direct opposition wordnet
Verb
  1. 1
    To oppose; to frustrate. obsolete

    "You that be of the court, & eſpecially ye ſworn chaplains beware of a leſſon that a great man taught me at my firſt coming to the court he told me for a good will, he thoughte it wel. He ſayd vnto me. You muſt beware how ſo euer ye do that ye cõtrary not the king, let him haue his ſaiyngs, folow him, go with him. Mary out vpon this counſel, ſhal I ſay, as he ſayes?"

  2. 2
    To impugn. obsolete
  3. 3
    To contradict (someone or something). obsolete

    "thus wilfully sir Palomydes dyd bataille with yow & as for hym sir I was not gretely aferd but I dred fore laūcelot that knew yow not Madame said Palomydes ye maye saye what so ye wyll I maye not contrary yow but by my knyghthode I knewe not sir Tristram"

  4. 4
    To do the opposite of (someone or something). obsolete
  5. 5
    To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to. obsolete
Show 2 more definitions
  1. 6
    To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion. obsolete
  2. 7
    To be self-contradictory; to become reversed. obsolete

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

Etymology 3

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

Etymology 4

From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).

See also for "contrary"

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