CONTRARY, a. [L., against.] 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, n. 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, v.t. To contradict or oppose.
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