contra
1[ kon-truh ]
/ ˈkɒn trə /
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preposition
against; in opposition or contrast to: Consider the problems of the teenager contra those of the adult.
adverb
contrariwise; on or to the contrary.
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Origin of contra
11350–1400; Middle English <Latin contrā
Other definitions for contra (2 of 4)
contra2
[ kon-truh; Spanish kawn-trah ]
/ ˈkɒn trə; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑ /
noun, plural con·tras [kon-truhz; Spanish kawn-trahs]. /ˈkɒn trəz; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑs/.
(often initial capital letter) a member of a counterrevolutionary guerrilla group in Nicaragua.
Origin of contra
2First recorded in 1980–85; from Central American Spanish, shortening of contrarrevolucionario “counterrevolutionary”
Other definitions for contra (3 of 4)
contra-1
a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite,” “opposing”: contradistinction, contraindicate.
Origin of contra-
1<Late Latin, Latin, prefixal use of adverb and preposition contrā
Other definitions for contra (4 of 4)
contra-2
a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element: contralto, contrabassoon.
Origin of contra-
2<Italian <Latin; see contra-1, counterpoint
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use contra in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for contra
contra-
prefix
against; contrary; opposing; contrastingcontraceptive; contradistinction
(in music) pitched belowcontrabass
Word Origin for contra-
from Latin, from contrā against
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for contra
contra-
pref.
Against; opposite; contrasting:contraindication.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
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