Etymologically
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contradico

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 15:19. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [kɔn.traːˈdiː.koː][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [kon.traˈdiː.ko][1]

Forms

contrādīcō (present infinitive contrādīcere, perfect active contrādīxī, supine contrādictum); third conjugation, irregular short imperative[1]

Etymology

It is from contrā “against” and dīcō “to say”.[2][1][3] Its parts are often written apart in classical texts.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Cicero, of speaking against a measure.[2] Köbler dates Cicero 81–43 BC.[4]

Semantic evolution

It meant to speak against, oppose a measure, claim or law, as in Cicero, and in Ulpian to contradict a person, and in law to speak against one's opponent.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant to contradict, oppose, resist, object to.[5] It survives in Italian contraddire, French contredire and Spanish contradecir, and its participle contrādictus gave English contradict in the 1570s.[1][3]

Timeline

  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of opposing a measure.[2][4]
  • before 223 AD – Ulpian uses it of contradicting a person.[2][4]
  • 1570s – English contradict is recorded.[3]

Meanings

Verb

  1. To speak against, oppose.[2]
  2. To contradict.[2]

Word family

  • contrādīcibilis
  • contrādictiō
  • contrādictor
  • dīcō
  • English contradict
  • English contradiction

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b c Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  5. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson