contra

¹

[kon-truh]

preposition

1. against; in opposition or contrast to.

   Consider the problems of the teenager contra those of the adult.

adverb

1. contrariwise; on or to the contrary.

contra-

²

1. a prefix meaning “against,” “opposite,” “opposing”.

   contradistinction, contraindicate.

contra

³

[kon-truh, kawn-trah]

noun

plural

contras 

1. (often initial capital letter),  a member of a counterrevolutionary guerrilla group in Nicaragua.

contra-

⁴

1. a prefix meaning “pitched lower than” the voice or instrument specified by the following element.

   contralto, contrabassoon.

contra-

prefix

1. against; contrary; opposing; contrasting

   contraceptive

   contradistinction

2. (in music) pitched below

   contrabass

Word History and Origins

Origin of contra-¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin contrā

Origin of contra-²

< Late Latin, Latin, prefixal use of adverb and preposition contrā

Origin of contra-³

First recorded in 1980–85; from Central American Spanish, shortening of contrarrevolucionario “counterrevolutionary”

Origin of contra-⁴

< Italian < Latin; contra- ¹ ( def. ), counterpoint

Word History and Origins

Origin of contra-¹

from Latin, from contrā against

Example Sentences

In San Ramon in Contra Costa County, a woman was fined for replacing her lawn with drought-tolerant plants.

From Los Angeles Times

Then he allegedly bombed an ATM in Contra Costa County.

From Los Angeles Times

Contra Costa County sheriff’s deputies and Department of Homeland Security agents apprehended Bhagwagar at about 9:35 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times

Contra Costa deputies discovered that Bhagwagar was a pilot and — with assistance from Homeland Security, which did not take part in the investigation — apprehended him once the flight concluded.

From Los Angeles Times

In a statement released on Thursday, officials said that Muller was convicted in connection with a 2015 home invasion in Contra Costa County.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antithesis 
• contrary