contra

Meaning

Adv

1. (not-comparable) against
2. (not-comparable) opposite to
3. (not-comparable) contrary to
4. (not-comparable) otherwise
5. (not-comparable) in return, back

Prep

1. (with-accusative) against
2. (with-accusative) across from, opposite

Concepts

against

contrast

across from

in exchange for

on the other hand

opposed to

in contrast

Synonyms

in

Translations

contre

hingegen

contra

contra

contra

gegen

daarentegen

en revanche

par contre

contro

tegen

apenandías

ómos

ἀντί

Pronounced as (IPA)

[ˈkɔn.traː]

Etymology

From Proto-Italic *komterād, ablative singular feminine of *komteros (“the other of the two who meet, opposite”). The ablative singular masculine/neuter of the same is continued in Latin contrō-, cognate to Oscan contrud. Ultimately from *kom- + *-teros; thus, a doublet of cum, comparable to the relation between intrā and in, and extrā and ex, but unlike these lacking external cognates, and therefore of Italic origin.
The change from instrumental/ablative to accusative is caused by *-teros used adverbially.