Middle English Dictionary Entry
contraire n.
Entry Info
| Forms | contraire n. Also contrāre. |
| Etymology | OF |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) Of paired entities: the opposite, antithesis, or reverse; stonden in ~ to, to be the opposite of (sth.); (b) contrariness (of man's 'complexion'); (c) a reversal of fortune, misfortune; seien ~, to predict misfortune.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)5.7656 : Avarice..Stant in contraire to Largesse.
- c1450(c1370) Chaucer Pity (Benson-Robinson)64 : Your contraire, Crueltee, Allyed is ayeynst your regalye Under colour of womanly Beaute.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1540 : Somme she werned wel and faire, And some she graunted the contraire Of her axyng.
- c1450(c1380) Chaucer HF (Benson-Robinson)1629 : Thou [Sklaundre] shalt trumpe alle the contrayre Of that they han don wel or fayre.
- (1471) Deed Yks.in YASRS 765 : To mayntyn truht and agaynstand the contrare.
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)4902 : To knowe the verray exaumpleyre And tavoyden hys contrayre.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)prol.979 : [Man's] complexioun Is mad..Of cold, of hot, of moist, of drye..the contraire of his astat Stant evermore in such debat, Til that o part be overcome.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.2614 : Therupon thei preie him faire That he wol seie no contraire, Wherof the king mai be desplesed.
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)7.4025 : Ther hath befalle gret contraire.
2.
Phrases: (a) stonden in ~, to be adverse or hostile; (b) in ~ of, contrary to (sth.); (c) in (the) ~, on the contrary, on the other hand.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.3416 : Humblesce is al otherwise..no reprise It takth ayein..If eny thing stond in contraire, With humble speche it is redresced.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.631 : Yet, in contraire of her lore, Ther is nothing thei loven more.
c
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)3.2400 : He that is riche This dai, tomorwe he mai be povere; And in contraire, also recovere A povere man to gret richesse.
- c1400(?c1380) Cleanness (Nero A.10)4 : Fayre formez myȝt he fynde..And, in þe contrare, kark and combraunce huge.