A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1399-1452, 1515-1611
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Contrar(e, Contrair, v. [e.m.E. contrare (1521), -trair, OF. contrarier.] tr. To oppose; to act or speak against; to contradict. a1400 Legends of the Saints xxxiv. 238.
Wa be the day quhare-in thu Wes borne that thus contraris me now! c1420 Wynt. vi. 1364.
Thare wes na man that wald contrare This byschape in-till word or deyde 1452 Aberd. B. Rec. I. 20.
Quhatsumeuer thing the forsaides persounes devises, … ther sal naman contrar, agayne call, na agaynstand c1515 Asloan MS I. 195/16.
It that thair awne writtis proportis of tham, how suld we contrare? c1550 Rolland Court of Venus iii. 352.
Then said Venus, ‘Now ȝe contrair ȝour sell’ 1560 Id. Seven Sages 5972.
Ȝe ar ouir peirt to contrair my command a1570-86 Maitland Folio MS xlvii. 49.
Than dar thow nocht be sa hardy To contrar thaine thocht thow war wrayth 1602 Misc. Spald. C. II. 290.
Quhair … your lordscbip vald accus ws off partialitie, we ar nothe to contrare your lordschip 1611 Mure Misc. P. i. 22.
All such as durst wpbraid Or contrar his command
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"Contrar v.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 20 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/contrare_v>
