contrariant, pple., a. and n.
(kənˈtrɛərɪənt)
Also 4–6 contrariaunt, 6 -yaunte, 7 contrareant, 7–9 contrarient.
[a. OF. contrariant, -ent (Godef.), ad. med.L. contrāriāntem, pr. pple. of contrāriāre to oppose, f. L. contrārius contrary; see -ant.]
† A. pple. Acting contrary to, opposing. Obs.
| c 1400 Test. Love i. (1560) 276 b/1 New doings contrariaunts such olde, often causen diseases. Ibid. ii. (R.), Is not euery thing good that is contrariant and distroieng yuel? |
B. adj.
1. Opposed, repugnant, contrary to.
| 1530 Rastell Bk. Purgat. i. iii, Be all contraryaunte to not beyng. 1533–4 Act 25 Hen. VIII, c. 14 Lawes.. repugnant, or contrariant to the..statutes of this realme. 1647 Jer. Taylor Lib. Proph. xx. 252 Doctrines..such as are contrariant to Faith. 1747 Carte Hist. Eng. I. 353 A message so contrariant to his views and wishes. 1842 H. E. Manning Serm. (1848) I. v. 64 Other lawful affections are not contrariant to this, but contained in it. |
2. Mutually opposed or antagonistic.
| 1560 A. L. tr. Calvin's Foure Serm. Songe Ezech. (1574) iii, These two things are not contrariant. 1640 Howell Dodona's Gr. (1649) 17 Being principles it is no wonder that they are so contrareant. 1726 Ayliffe Parerg. 255 The very Depositions of Witnesses..being false, various, contrariant, etc. 1748 Richardson Clarissa (1811) VI. 347 The satisfaction we should otherwise take in contrariant overtures. 1874 Seebohm Protest. Revol. (1887) 21 Classes so contrarient as the feudal lords, the townspeople, and the peasantry. |
† 3. Opposed to one's wishes or well-being; unfavourable, prejudicial; adverse; = contrary a. 4.
| 1548 Hall Chron. 117 The ayre of Paris, was somewhat contrariaunt to his pure complexion. Ibid. (1809) 287 The wynde so contrariant that she was fain to take land again. 1649 Jer. Taylor Gt. Exemp. i. i. 3 The contrariant designes of malice. |
† 4. Opposite in direction. Obs. rare.
| 1644 Bulwer Chiron. 136 If the gainsaying Hand should have a contrarient motion. |
C. n. One who or that which is opposed in purpose or nature; a contrary.
| 1657 Burton's Diary (1828) II. 4 Which did strongly build up the faith of the Contrariants. 1839 Bailey Festus (1848) 32/1 All dark things brightened all contrariants blent. 1880 T. E. Webb Goethe's Faust 64 And with strange recipes compounded contrariants in his crucible. |
b. spec. in Eng. Hist. ‘A name heretofore given to the Barons that took part with Thomas Earl of Lancaster, against K. Edward II’ (Phillips 1706).
| 1727–51 Chambers Cycl. s.v. Rotulus, It was not thought fit, in respect of their power, to call them rebels or traitors, but only contrarients. [1867 Hales in Percy Folio I. 5 The theory that Robin Hood was..one of the Contrariantes (the Lancastrians) of Edward II's time.] |