contravene

Where does the word "contravene" come from? It comes from Latin contravenire, and was adopted directly into English (1500s).

Contravene’s story begins in Latin: contravenire meant “to come against, to oppose.” To come against, to oppose, from contra- (against) and venire (to come). It reached English by 1500s as contravene. Settled as the English word for acting in violation of a rule or law. Today, contravene means to act in a way that violates a law, rule, or agreement.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient contravenire "to come against, to oppose", to come against, to oppose, from contra- (against) and venire (to come).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1500s contravene "to act in violation of a rule, law, or agreement", settled as the English word for acting in violation of a rule or law.