contrary

Noun · Adjective
Synonyms: reverseoppositeobstinateperversewaywardadverse

WordNet 3.0

Noun (3)

  1. a relation of direct opposition“we thought Sue was older than Bill but just the reverse was true”Synonyms: reverseopposite
  2. exact opposition“public opinion to the contrary he is not guilty”
  3. a logical relation such that two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but both can be false

Adjective (4)

  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”Synonyms: obstinateperversewayward
  4. in an opposing direction“adverse currents”“a contrary wind”Synonyms: adverse
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me.— Lev. xxvi. 21.[1913 Webster]
We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent. [1913 Webster]

Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds.— Milton.[1913 Webster]
The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.— Whewell.[1913 Webster]

3.Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child. [1913 Webster]

4.(Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions. [1913 Webster]

Contrary motion (Mus.), the progression of parts in opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.

Syn: Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent. [1913 Webster]

Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. Contraries.

1.A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [1913 Webster]

No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave.— Shak.[1913 Webster]

2.An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

3.the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1. --Locke. [1913 Webster]

4.(Logic) See Contraries. [1913 Webster]

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. [1913 Webster]

Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, v. t. [F. contrarier. See Contrary, a.] To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

I was advised not to contrary the king. --Bp. Latimer. [1913 Webster]

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