Middle English Dictionary Entry
contrārie adv. & prep.
Entry Info
| Forms | contrārie adv. & prep. |
| Etymology | Cp. L (ē) contrāriō on the contrary, on the other hand. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) On the contrary, to the contrary; on the other hand; ?also, perversely [quot.: 1400]; (b) ~ to, ~ agein, contrary to, in violation (of a statute, etc.); (c) in opposition (to sb.).
Associated quotations
a
- a1400 Lanfranc (Ashm 1396)116/11 : As manye idiotis supposen contrarie.
- c1425(a1420) Lydg.TB (Aug A.4)4.4273 : Ȝif..Fortune Be fauourable..Þat hir face chaunge nat contrarie.
- a1450(?c1430) Lydg.DM(1) (Hnt EL 26.A.13)654 : Suche fals errowre lete eueri man despice, For holi seyntes Writen contrarie, her falsnes to deface.
- c1450 Spec.Chr.(2) (Hrl 6580)222/18 : He seiez contrarye [L e contrario] of a wicked man: I haue seen [etc.].
- c1450 Wast bryngyth (Add 31042)p.195 : Many mane hase ane heghe witt..Bot alle to malice he tornes it Euen contrarye, vp so doune.
b
- (1429) RParl.4.359a : Merchandises ladde or conveiede contrarie to yis Ordinaunce.
- (1444) RParl.5.104b : That no manere Walssh man sue contrarie unto the seid Ordenaunce.
- (1454) GRed Bk.Bristolpt.2 p.52 : Eny estraunger that..bieth and silleth..contrarie to the articules a fore seid [etc.].
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4940 : Aungelys, chymes..remevyd fro the place..contrarye ageyn my wil rehersyd before.
c
- a1425(c1395) WBible(2) (Roy 1.C.8)Lev.26.21 : If ȝe goon contrarie to [WB(1): ouerthwart to] me.
2.
As prep.: contrary to, against.
Associated quotations
- (1439) EEWills122/16 : That she clayme no dower..contrarie his will.
- c1475(?a1449) ?Lydg.Tied (Hrl 2251)57 : The world vnsure, contrary al stablenesse, Whos ioye is meynt ay with adversite.
- a1500 Ther ben iij poyntis (Tan 407)39 : Whan þei don contrari goddis byddyng.