Contrary | Webster's Dictionary (1865)

Cŏnʹtra-ry, a.

adjective

a. [Lat. contrarius, from contra, q. v.; Fr. contraire, Pr. contrari, It. & Sp. contrario.] 1. Opposite; opposing; different; contradictory; adverse; repugnant; inconsistent. We have lost our labor; they have gone a contrary way. Shak. 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. W. Whewell.

Given to opposition; perverse; froward; wayward; as, a contrary child.
(Logic.) Opposed in quality only.

Syn.—Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent.

Cŏn′tra-ry, n.

noun

n. 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.

No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a knave. Shak.

Sense 2. A proposition contrary to another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. Locke.

Sense 3. (Logic.) See CONTRARIES.

On the contrary, in opposition; on the other side. Swift.

— To the contrary, to an opposite purpose or fact; as, he said it was just, but I told him to the contrary.

They did it, not for want of instruction to the contrary. Stillingfleet.

Cōn’tra-ry, v. t.

verbtransitive

v. t. [L. Lat. contrariare, Fr. contrarier, Pr., Sp., & Pg. contrariar, It. contrariare. See CONTRARIANT.] To contradict or oppose; to thwart. [Obs.]

You must contrary me! Shak.