CONTRARIES

Noun

contraries

plural of contrary

Anagrams

• cinerators

Source: Wiktionary


Con"tra*ries ( or , n. pl. Etym: [Pl. of Contrary, n.] (Logic)

Definition: Propositions which directly and destructively contradict each other, but of which the falsehood of one does not establish the truth of the other. If two universals differ in quality, they are contraries; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false. I. Watts.

CONTRARY

Con"tra*ry ( or ; 48), a. Etym: [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)

Definition: 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.

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)

Definition: 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, v. t. Etym: [F. contrarier. See Contrary, a.]

Definition: To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.] I was advised not to contrary the king. Bp. Latimer.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 May 2025

DESIRABLE

(adjective) worth having or seeking or achieving; “a desirable job”; “computer with many desirable features”; “a desirable outcome”


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Coffee Trivia

The Boston Tea Party helped popularize coffee in America. The hefty tea tax imposed on the colonies in 1773 resulted in America switching from tea to coffee. In the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it became patriotic to sip java instead of tea. The Civil War made the drink more pervasive. Coffee helped energize tired troops, and drinking it became an expression of freedom.

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