contra

1
[ kon-truh ]
/ ˈkɒn trə /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR contra ON THESAURUS.COM

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.

Origin of contra

1
1350–1400; Middle English < Latin contrā

Words nearby contra

contour line, contour map, contour ploughing, contour sheet, contr., contra, contra-, contra-aperture, contra-guide rudder, contraband, contraband of war

Definition for contra (2 of 4)

contra 2
[ kon-truh; Spanish kawn-trah ]
/ ˈkɒn trə; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑ /

noun, plural con·tras [kon-truh z; Spanish kawn-trahs] /ˈkɒn trəz; Spanish ˈkɔn trɑs/.

(often initial capital letter) a member of a counterrevolutionary guerrilla group in Nicaragua.

Origin of contra

2
< American Spanish, shortening of contrarrevolucionario counterrevolutionary

Definition 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

Definition 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

Words related to contra

antithesis, contrary, reversal, inverse, paradox, reverse, obverse, converse, contradiction, counterpart, foil, opposition, antipode, antonym, contrast, about-face, back, underside, regression, bottom

Example sentences from the Web for contra

British Dictionary definitions for contra

contra-

prefix

against; contrary; opposing; contrasting contraceptive; contradistinction
(in music) pitched below contrabass

Word Origin for contra-

from Latin, from contrā against

Medical definitions for contra

contra-

pref.

Against; opposite; contrasting:contraindication.