Con"tra*ry (? ∨ ?; 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.
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Con"tra*ry, v. t. [F. contrarier. See Contrary, a.]
To contradict or oppose; to thwart.
[Obs.]
I was advised not to contrary the king.
Bp. Latimer.
© Webster 1913.