▪ I. † ˈcontrair, a., n., (adv.), prep. Chiefly Sc.; now only dial.
Forms: 4–5 contrare, 4–7 contrar, contraire, 5 contrayre, -eyre, -aier, -er, 6–9 contrair.
[a. F. contraire (11th c.):—L. contrārius contrary. (Orig. stressed conˈtrair.)]
A. adj. contrary, opposed, opposite.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 266 [Þay] controeued agayn kynde contrare werkez. c 1400 Rom. Rose 5414 Froward Fortune and contraire. 1430 Lydg. Chron. Troy iii. xxv, How Troilus was contrayre For to ascende up on loue stayre. 1588 A. King tr. Canisius' Catech. 129 b, Contrar to pryde is humilitie. 1629 Rutherford Lett. vi. (1862) I. 50, I fear the Lord be my contrair party. 1655–60 Stanley Hist. Philos. (1701) 87/1 The contrar Party was too strong for them. 1707 Duke of Athol in Vulpone 21 Which..is contrair to the Fundamental Laws of this Nation. 1801 R. Gall Tint Quey 173 He was as contrair's night's frae day. |
B. absol. or n. The opposite or contrary.
| 1375 Barbour Bruce i. 461 To veng the harme and the contrer, At that fele folk and pautener Dyd till sympill folk. c 1386 Chaucer Pard. T. 267 It is reproef, and contrair of honour, For to be halde a comun hasardour. 1556 Lauder Dewtie of Kyngis 236 Wo be to thame that dois knaw Godds wourd, syne dois the contrar schaw. 1671 True Nonconf. 7 To obey God..rather then man commanding the contraire. |
b. phr. by or to the contrair: on the contrary. in the contrair: on or to the contrary. in (the) contrair of or to: in opposition to, in spite of.
| c 1325 E.E. Allit. P. B. 4 Fayre formez myȝt he fynde..& in þe contrare, kark & combraunce huge. c 1565 Lindesay (Pitscottie) Chron. Scot. (Jam.), Schamfullie hanged..notwithstanding the kingis commandement in the contrair. c 1450 Henryson Mor. Fab. 37 This hound of hell Deuored hes my Lambe..in contrair to your cry. a 1587 Mary Q. of Scots in Keith Hist. 333 (Jam.) In case he permitted thir lords to prevail in our contrare. 1640–1 Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855) 140 He never concurred in nothing that concernes the publict, bot be the contrair doeth controll the parochinares proceidings, etc. 1641 Act of Oblivion in Neal Hist. Purit. (1733) II. 483 His Majesty..promises..never to come in the Contrair of this Statute. 1748 Lady J. Douglas Stewart Let. Dk. Douglas 7 Aug. (1767) 3 But to the contrair have regretted my ill fortune. |
C. adv. Contrariwise.
| 1596 Dalrymple tr. Leslie's Hist. Scot. (1885) 20 This kynde is verie rid, with black spotis amang, or contrare. |
D. prep. Against, in opposition to.
| c 1500 Lancelot 658 That is al contrare our entent. 1578 Psalm lxxvii. in Sc. Poems 16th C. II. 110 Speikand contrair thy godly Majesty. 1640–1 Kirkcudbr. War-Comm. Min. Bk. (1855) 140 Ane ordinar murmurer..contraire the proceidings of the Estaites. |
▪ II. † conˈtrair, v. Obs.
Also 5–6 contrare.
[f. prec.; or ad. F. contrarier (11th c. in Littré).]
trans. To oppose, thwart.
| c 1425 Wyntoun Cron. vi. xiv. 24 Thare wes na man þat wald contrare This Byschope in-til word or deyde. 1521 Fisher Wks. (1876) i. 328 Saynt Iames onely contrareth that that may be..mystaken in saynt Paule. 1530 Palsgr. 149 Some [conjunctions] betoken contraring, as neverthelesse. 1621 Quarles Argalus & P. (1678) 71 Not able to contrair The will of her victorious passion. 1647 H. More Song of Soul i. ii. l, If to contrair the holy tongue should be Absurd. |