Part 525

Contrate wheel. See Crown wheel.

Con"tra*ten`or (?), n. [Cf. Counter tenor.] (Mus.) Counter tenor; contralto.

Con`tra*val*la"tion (?), n. [Pref. contra- + vallation: cf. F. contrevallation. Cf. Countervallation.] (Fort.) A trench guarded with a parapet, constructed by besiegers, to secure themselves and check sallies of the besieged.

Con`tra*vene" (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contravened (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Contravening.] [LL. contravenire; L. contra + venire to come: cf. F. contrevenir. See Come.] 1. To meet in the way of opposition; to come into conflict with; to oppose; to contradict; to obstruct the operation of; to defeat.

So plain a proposition . . . was not likely to be contravened. Southey.

2. To violate; to nullify; to be inconsistent with; as, to contravene a law.

Laws that place the subjects in such a state contravene the first principles of the compact of authority. Johnson.

Syn. -- To contradict; set aside; nullify; defeat; cross; obstruct; baffle; thwart.

Con`tra*ven"er (?), n. One who contravenes.

Con`tra*ven"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. contravention.] The act of contravening; opposition; obstruction; transgression; violation.

Warrants in contravention of the acts of Parliament. Macaulay.

In contravention of all his marriage stipulations. Motley.

Con`tra*ver"sion (?), n. A turning to the opposite side; antistrophe. Congreve.

Con`tra*yer"va (?), n. [Sp. contrayerba, literally, a counter herb, hence, an antidote for poison, fr. l. contra + herba herb.] (Bot.) A species of Dorstenia (D. Contrayerva), a South American plant, the aromatic root of which is sometimes used in medicine as a gentle stimulant and tonic.

||Con`tre*coup" (?), n. [F., fr. contre (L. contra) + coup a blow.] (med.) A concussion or shock produced by a blow or other injury, in a part or region opposite to that at which the blow is received, often causing rupture or disorganisation of the parts affected.

||Con`tre*temps" (?), n. [F., fr. contre (L. conta) + temps time, fr. L. tempus.] An unexpected and untoward accident; something inopportune or embarrassing; a hitch.

In this unhappy contretemps. De Quincey.

Con*trib"u*ta*ble (?), a. Capable of being contributed.

Con*trib"u*ta*ry (?), a. 1. Contributory. [R.]

2. Tributary; contributing. [R.]

It was situated on the Ganges, at the place where this river received a contributary stream. D'Anville (Trans. ).

Con*trib"ute (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contributed; p. pr. & vb. n. Contributing.] [L. contributus, p. p. of contribuere to bring together, to add; con- + tribuere to grant, impart. See Tribute.] To give or grant i common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to furnish or suply in part; to give (money or other aid) for a specified object; as, to contribute food or fuel for the poor.

England contributes much more than any other of the allies. Addison.

Con*trib"ute, v. i. 1. To give a part to a common stock; to lend assistance or aid, or give something, to a common purpose; to have a share in any act or effect.

We are engaged in war; the secretary of state calls upon the colonies to contribute. Burke.

2. To give or use one's power or influence for any object; to assist.

These men also contributed to obstruct the progress of wisdom. Goldsmith.

Con`tri*bu"tion (?), n. [L. contributio: cf. F. contribution.] 1. The act of contributing.