4 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. {Contraries}.
1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a
knave. --Shak.
2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
3. the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition
incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather
show the contrary. See {Converse}, n., 1. --Locke.
4. (Logic) See {Contraries}.
{On the contrary}, in opposition; on the other hand. --Swift.
{To the contrary}, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the
other side. ``They did it, not for want of instruction to
the contrary.'' --Bp. Stillingfleet.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Contrary \Con"tra*ry\ (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie,
contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See
{Contra-}.]
1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition;
adverse; as, contrary winds.
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not
hearken unto me. --Lev. xxvi.
21.
We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary
way. --Shak.
2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And
with contrary blast proclaims most deeds. --Milton.
The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be
contrary to the sacred Scripture. --Whewell.
3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a
contrary disposition; a contrary child.
4. (Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy
each other; as, contrary propositions.
{Contrary motion} (Mus.), the progression of parts in
opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.
Syn: Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant;
inconsistent.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
contrary
adj 1: very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts
contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a
contrary conclusion"
2: of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true
but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary
terms"
3: resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite
contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a
perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" [syn: {obstinate}, {perverse},
{wayward}]
4: in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary
wind" [syn: {adverse}]
n 1: a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older
than Bill but just the reverse was true" [syn: {reverse},
{opposite}]
2: exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not
guilty"
3: two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but
both can be false
From eng-fra [engfra]:
contrary
[kɔntrɛəriː]
contradictoire, opposé
opposé