Part 524

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.

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.

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.

Con*trast" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Contrasted; p. pr. & vb. n. Contrasting.] [F. contraster, LL. contrastare to resist, withstand, fr. L. contra + stare to stand. See Stand.] To stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of qualities.

The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars. Lyell.

Con*trast", v. t. 1. To set in opposition, or over against, in order to show the differences between, or the comparative excellences and defects of; to compare by difference or contrariety of qualities; as, to contrast the present with the past.

2. (Fine Arts) To give greater effect to, as to a figure or other object, by putting it in some relation of opposition to another figure or object.

the figures of the groups must not be all on side . . . but must contrast each other by their several position. Dryden.

Con"trast (k&obreve;n"tr&adot;st), n. [F. contraste: cf. It. contrasto.] 1. The act of contrasting, or the state of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of qualities.

place the prospect of the soul In sober contrast with reality. Wordsworth.

2. Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison.

The contrasts and resemblances of the seasons. Whewell.

3. (Fine Arts) The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other's peculiarities. Fairholt.

Con`tra*stim"u*lant (?), a. Counteracting the effects of stimulants; relating to a course of medical treatment based on a theory of contrastimulants. -- n. (Med.) An agent which counteracts the effect of a stimulant.

Con"trate (?), a. [See Contra- .] Having cogs or teeth projecting parallel to the axis, instead of radiating from it. [R.]