3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.
4. (Logic)
Defn: 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.
CONTRARY
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)
Defn: 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.