adj., n., & adv.
adj. 1 (usu. foll. by to) opposed in nature or tendency. 2 colloq. perverse, self-willed. 3 (of a wind) unfavourable, impeding. 4 mutually opposed. 5 opposite in position or direction.
n. (pl. -ies) (prec. by the) the opposite.
adv. (foll. by to) in opposition or contrast (contrary to expectations it rained). on the contrary intensifying a denial of what has just been implied or stated. to the contrary to the opposite effect (can find no indication to the contrary). contrarily (in sense 2 of adj.) adv. contrariness (in sense 2 of adj.) n.
[ ME f. AF contrarie, OF contraire, f. L contrarius f. contra against ]