Etymologically
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contra

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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔn.traː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔn.tra][1]

Forms

contrā (not comparable)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *komterād, the ablative singular feminine of *komteros (“the other of two who meet, opposite”), a comparative of cum (“with”) (old ⟨com⟩) with the suffix seen in alter and inter.[2][1][3][4] The ablative masculine of the same word gives ⟨contrō-⟩ in contrōversia, and its match in Oscan, Oscan contrud (“against”), shows that the formation is Proto-Italic.[2][1] The base goes back to Proto-Indo-European *ḱom (“with”).[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is found from Naevius on;[2][5] Ennius uses it for “face to face”.[3]

Semantic evolution

As an adverb contrā means “face to face, in front”, then “opposite, against the enemy”, “in opposition, on the other side” (in arguments), “in return” (quam contrā amō “whom I love in return”), and “the other way, contrary to”.[3][1] As a preposition with the accusative it means “facing, opposite” and “against”.[3][1]

Medieval Latin also used it for “near”, “about (a time)”, “to meet (someone)” and “regarding, towards”.[6] English took it in the mid-14th century as contra “against, opposite”.[7]

Timeline

  • c. 235–200 BC – First found in Naevius.[2][5]
  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses contrā tuērī, to look someone in the face.[3][5]
  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: quae mē amat, quam contrā amō.[3][5]
  • mid-14th century – Borrowed into English as contra.[7]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. Face to face, in front.[3]
  2. opposite, on the other side; against one.[3][1]
  3. In opposition, by way of objection.[3]
  4. In return.[3][1]
  5. The other way, contrary; otherwise.[1]

Preposition

  1. (with accusative) against.[1][8]
  2. (with accusative) Opposite, facing.[1][8]
  3. (Medieval Latin) Near; about (a time); towards, regarding.[6]

Word family

  • cum
  • English contra

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  4. ^ Lewis, Charlton T.; Short, Charles (1879), A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
  5. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  6. ^ a b Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
  7. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  8. ^ a b Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson