Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Contrary
Con′tra-ry
(? or ?; 48)
, Adj.
1.
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse;
as,
. contrary
windsAnd 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. Shakespeare
2.
Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed,
And with
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
child4.
(Logic)
Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other;
as,
. contrary
propositions
Syn. – Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent.
Con′tra-ry
,Noun.
pl.
Contraries
. 1.
A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.
No
Than I and such a knave.
contraries
hold more antipathyThan I and such a knave.
Shakespeare
2.
An opponent; an enemy.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
3.
the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; , 1.
as, slender proofs which rather show the
. See contrary
Converse
, Noun.
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.
Con′tra-ry
,Verb.
T.
To contradict or oppose; to thwart.
[Obs.]
I was advised not to
contrary
the king. Bp. Latimer.
Webster 1828 Edition
Contrary
CONTRARY
,Adj.
1.
Opposite; adverse; moving against or in an opposite direction; as contrary winds.2.
Opposite; contradictory; not merely different, but inconsistent or repugnant.The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary, the one to the other. Galatians 5.
This adjective, in many phrases, is to be treated grammatically as an adverb, or as an adjective referring to a sentence or affirmation; as, this happened contrary to my expectations. The word here really belongs to the affirmation or fact declared, this happened; for contrary does not, like an adverb, express the manner of happening, but that the fact itself was contrary to my expectation. According, agreeable, pursuant, antecedent, prior, anterior, &c., are often used in the like manner.
CONTRARY
,Noun.
1.
A thing that is contrary or of opposite qualities.No contraries hold more antipathy, than I and such a knave.
2.
A proposition contrary to another, or a fact contrary to what is alledged; as, this is stated to be a fact, but I will endeavor to show the contrary.On the contrary, in opposition; on the other side.
To the contrary, to an opposite purpose, or fact.
They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary.
He said it was just, but I told him to the contrary.
CONTRARY
,Verb.
T.