contrary

Where does the word "contrary" come from? It comes from Latin contrarius, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Contrary’s story begins in Latin: contrarius meant “opposite.” From 'contra', against. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as contraire. The phrase 'on the contrary' is recorded in English from about 1400. It reached English by 1300s as contrary. 'Mary, Mary, quite contrary' is from an 18th-century rhyme. Today, contrary means opposite in nature.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient contrarius "opposite", from 'contra', against.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval contraire "opposite", the phrase 'on the contrary' is recorded in English from about 1400.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s contrary "opposite", 'Mary, Mary, quite contrary' is from an 18th-century rhyme.