Contrary ( or ; 48), a.
Etymology: [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)
2 more senses
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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Contrary, 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.
Contrary, v. t.
To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.] I was advised not to contrary the king. Bp. Latimer.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for contrary; he lists it under alien, incongruous, perverse.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.