Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

Hide Quotations Hide Etymology

Abbreviations Cite this entry

About this entry:
First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Contrary, Contrarie, a. Also: -trarye, -trairie, -trarrey. [e.m.E. contrary (c 1340), -trayrie, AF. and early OF. contrarie, L. contrārius.] = Contrare a. c1420 Wynt. ii. 835.
I wyll noucht hald thir oppynnyownys ale Contrary, for thai mycht weylle fale 1456 Hay II. 13/23.
Ellis nature war contrary till it self Ib. 33/4.
For orguille is contrary to justice 1513 Doug. ii. i. 76.
Had nocht beyn that … the fatis of goddis war contrary 1559 Misc. Wodrow Soc. 268.
To haif maid me contrarrey to my awin buke a1585 Polwart Flyt. 621.
Arcandams astrologie … Affirmes hes bleardnesse, to wisedome contrarie 1622-6 Bisset II. 387/24.
Thair wes augmented ane dowbled treasant with contrarie lyllies … of floure de luce