contrarious

American  

[kuhn-trair-ee-uhs] / kənˈtrɛər i əs /

adjective

1. Chiefly Appalachian. perverse; refractory.

2. Archaic. adverse; unfavorable.

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contrarious British  

/ kənˈtrɛərɪəs /

adjective

1. (of people or animals) perverse or obstinate

2. (of conditions) unfavourable

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Other Word Forms

• contrariously adverb
• contrariousness noun

Etymology

Origin of contrarious

1250–1300; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin contrārius contrary; see -ous

Example Sentences

And therefore thei maken ymages lyche to tho thinges, that thei han beleeve inne, for to beholden hem and worschipen hem first at morwe, or thei meeten ony contrarious thinges.

From The Principal Navigations, Voyages, Traffiques and Discoveries of the English Nation — Volume 08 Asia, Part I by Hakluyt, Richard

Volumes of report Run with these false and most contrarious quests Upon thy doings!

From John Lothrop Motley, A Memoir — Complete by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

From Geneva, “the den of mine own ease, the rest of quiet study,” Knox was dragged, “maist contrarious to mine own judgement,” by a summons from Mrs. Bowes. 

From John Knox and the Reformation by Lang, Andrew

“I’ve had a weary fortnight on’t, with Master that contrarious, I couldn’t do nought to suit him, and Mistress Hall a-coming day by day to serve him wi’ vinegar and pepper.

From All's Well Alice's Victory by Lewin, M.

The children of Mercurie and of Venus Been in hir wirking ful contrarious; Mercurie loveth wisdom and science, And Venus loveth ryot and dispence.

From Astronomical Lore in Chaucer by Grimm, Florence M.