contrarious
Americanadjective
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Chiefly Appalachian. perverse; refractory.
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Archaic. adverse; unfavorable.
adjective
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(of people or animals) perverse or obstinate
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(of conditions) unfavourable
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of contrarious
1250–1300; Middle English (< Anglo-French ) < Latin contrārius contrary; see -ous
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It was just bitterly disappointing and contrarious that the one person he wished to see was a Commodore Graham.
From The Summons by A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley) Mason
So when they were in the sea a contrarious wind blew them on the coasts of North Wales, nigh the Castle Perilous.
From Le Mort d'Arthur: Volume 1 by Sir Thomas Malory
And what greater absurditie can there bee, then to say that one cure shall serue for diuers, nay, contrarious sortes of diseases?
From A Counter-Blaste to Tobacco by Edmund Goldsmid
You and I seem to meet in a mild contrarious harmony ... as in the 'si no, si no' of an Italian duet.
From The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Vol. 1 (of 2) 1845-1846 by Robert Browning
O place and greatness, millions of false eyes Are stuck upon thee! volumes of report Run with these false, and most contrarious quest Upon thy doings!
From Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
