contrary

a. [ OE. contrarie, contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See Contra-. ] 1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse; as, contrary winds. [ 1913 Webster ]

And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me. Lev. xxvi. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed,
And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture. Whewell. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy each other; as, contrary propositions. [ 1913 Webster ]

Contrary motion (Mus.), the progression of parts in opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.

Syn. -- Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant; inconsistent. [ 1913 Webster ]

n.; pl. Contraries 1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities. [ 1913 Webster ]

No contraries hold more antipathy
Than I and such a knave. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. An opponent; an enemy. [ Obs. ] Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather show the contrary. See Converse, n., 1. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. (Logic) See Contraries. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]