subcontrary

American  

[suhb-kon-trer-ee] / sʌbˈkɒn trɛr i /

noun

Logic.

PLURAL

subcontraries

1. one of two propositions that can both be true but cannot both be false.

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subcontrary British  

/ sʌbˈkɒntrərɪ /

adjective

1. (of a pair of propositions) related such that they cannot both be false at once, although they may be true together Compare contrary contradictory

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noun

1. a statement that cannot be false when a given statement is false

Etymology

Origin of subcontrary

1595–1605; < Medieval Latin subcontrārius, Late Latin ( sub-, contrary ), originally as translation of Greek hypenantíos

Example Sentences

The section of an oblique cylinder by a plane perpendicular to the principal section, and inclined to the axis at the same angle as the base, is named the “subcontrary section,” and is always a circle; any other section is an ellipse.

From Project Gutenberg

Two subcontrary propositions hold of the young of any animal.

From Project Gutenberg

Adj. opposite; reverse, inverse; converse, antipodal, subcontrary†; fronting, facing, diametrically opposite.

From Project Gutenberg