contra Latin · revision 17772

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=inherited|attested=c. 235–200 BC, Naevius|origins=ine-pro *ḱom}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA (Classical): [ˈkɔn.traː]^(Wiktionary)

+ * IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈkɔn.tra]^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''contrā''' (not comparable)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|itc-pro|*komterād]], the ablative singular feminine of [[m|itc-pro|*komteros|t=the other of two who meet, opposite]], a comparative of [[cum|t=with]] (old ⟨com⟩) with the suffix seen in [[alter]] and [[inter]].^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary)^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879) The ablative masculine of the same word gives ⟨contrō-⟩ in [[contrōversia]], and its match in Oscan, [[osc|contrud|t=against]], shows that the formation is Proto-Italic.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Wiktionary) The base goes back to [[ine-pro|*ḱom|t=with]].^(de Vaan 2008)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ It is found from Naevius on;^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010) Ennius uses it for “face to face”.^(OLD 2012)

+

+ ==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”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary) As a preposition with the accusative it means “facing, opposite” and “against”.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ Medieval Latin also used it for “near”, “about (a time)”, “to meet (someone)” and “regarding, towards”.^(Niermeyer 1976) English took it in the mid-14th century as [[m|en|contra]] “against, opposite”.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 235–200 BC – First found in Naevius.^(de Vaan 2008)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 204–169 BC – Ennius uses ''contrā tuērī'', to look someone in the face.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * c. 250–184 BC – Plautus: ''quae mē amat, quam contrā amō''.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-14th century – Borrowed into English as [[m|en|contra]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Adverb===

+ # Face to face, in front.^(OLD 2012)

+ # [[m|en|opposite]], on the other side; against one.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # In opposition, by way of objection.^(OLD 2012)

+ # In return.^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)

+ # The other way, contrary; otherwise.^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ===Preposition===

+ # ''(with accusative)'' [[m|en|against]].^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(with accusative)'' Opposite, facing.^(Wiktionary)^(Stelten 1995)

+ # ''(Medieval Latin)'' Near; about (a time); towards, regarding.^(Niermeyer 1976)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[contrārius]]

+ * [[contrōversia]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cum]]

+ * [[en|contra]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}