Con″tra‐ry (? or?; 48), 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.
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me.
Lev. xxvi. 21.
We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary way.
Shak.
2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.
Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed,
And with contrary blast proclaims most deeds.
Milton.
The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.
Whewell.
3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a contrary disposition; a contrary child.
4. (Logic) 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.