contrariety

American  

[kon-truh-rahy-i-tee] / ˌkɒn trəˈraɪ ɪ ti /

noun

contrarieties plural

1. the quality or state of being contrary.

2. something contrary or of opposite character; a contrary fact or statement.

3. Logic. the relation between contraries.

---

contrariety British  

/ ˌkɒntrəˈraɪətɪ /

noun

1. opposition between one thing and another; disagreement

2. an instance of such opposition; inconsistency; discrepancy

3. logic the relationship between two contraries

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• noncontrariety
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• contrarieties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of contrariety

1350–1400; Middle English contrariete (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin contrārietās. See contrary, -ity

Example Sentences

From this conflict between thought and fact the problem arises; out of this partial contrariety springs the question, "Why?"

From Popular scientific lectures by Mach, Ernst

At any other time, moved by the sheer and wanton contrariety of her disposition, Constance would have declined to profit by this concession—would have delighted to stand by and deftly add fuel to the fire.

From Fordham's Feud by Mitford, Bertram

The First Book appears to have contained a development of the contrariety of the Scriptures, and proofs that they did not proceed from Divinity, but from men.

From Arguments Of Celsus, Porphyry, And The Emperor Julian, Against The Christians Also Extracts from Diodorus Siculus, Josephus, and Tacitus, Relating to the Jews, Together with an Appendix by Taylor, Thomas

Somehow, the contrariety of the proprieties, as she translated them, bewildered and baffled him.

From The Prophet of the Great Smoky Mountains by Murfree, Mary Noailles

Thoughts would be his, and views, and desires forever, whose very shadow touched him, to cause pain, and to assure him of their contrariety to his nature.

From Papers from Overlook-House by Almore, Casper