contra-
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contra-
(word root) againstExamples of words with the root contra-: contradictory
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
contra-
pref.
1. Against; opposite; contrasting: contraposition.
2. Lower in pitch: contrabassoon.
[Middle English, from Latin contrā-, from contrā, against; see contra. Sense 2, Italian, from Latin contrā.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
contra-
prefix
1. against; contrary; opposing; contrasting: contraceptive; contradistinction.
2. (Music, other) (in music) pitched below: contrabass.
[from Latin, from contrā against]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
con•tra
(ˈkɒn trə)prep.
1. against; in opposition or contrast to.
adv. 2. on or to the contrary.
[1350–1400; Middle English < Latin contrā]
contra-1
, a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite,” “opposing”: contradistinction.
[< Late Latin, Latin, prefixal use of adv. and preposition contrā]
contra-2
, a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element: contralto; contrabassoon.
[< Italian < Latin; see contra-1, counterpoint]
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