Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Contrary \Con"tra*ry\, n.; pl. {Contraries}.
   1. A thing that is of contrary or opposite qualities.

            No contraries hold more antipathy Than I and such a
            knave.                                --Shak.

   2. An opponent; an enemy. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

   3. the opposite; a proposition, fact, or condition
      incompatible with another; as, slender proofs which rather
      show the contrary. See {Converse}, n., 1. --Locke.

   4. (Logic) See {Contraries}.

   {On the contrary}, in opposition; on the other hand. --Swift.

   {To the contrary}, to an opposite purpose or intent; on the
      other side. ``They did it, not for want of instruction to
      the contrary.'' --Bp. Stillingfleet.

Contrary \Con"tra*ry\ (? or ?; 48), a. [OE. contrarie,
   contraire, F. contraire, fr. L. contrarius, fr. contra. See
   {Contra-}.]
   1. Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition;
      adverse; as, contrary winds.

            And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not
            hearken unto me.                      --Lev. xxvi.
                                                  21.

            We have lost our labor; they are gone a contrary
            way.                                  --Shak.

   2. Opposed; contradictory; repugnant; inconsistent.

            Fame, if not double-faced, is double mouthed, And
            with contrary blast proclaims most deeds. --Milton.

            The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be
            contrary to the sacred Scripture.     --Whewell.

   3. Given to opposition; perverse; forward; wayward; as, a
      contrary disposition; a contrary child.

   4. (Logic) Affirming the opposite; so opposed as to destroy
      each other; as, contrary propositions.

   {Contrary motion} (Mus.), the progression of parts in
      opposite directions, one ascending, the other descending.

   Syn: Adverse; repugnant; hostile; inimical; discordant;
        inconsistent.

Source : WordNet®

contrary
     adj 1: very opposed in nature or character or purpose; "acts
            contrary to our code of ethics"; "the facts point to a
            contrary conclusion"
     2: of words or propositions so related that both cannot be true
        but both may be false; "`hot' and `cold' are contrary
        terms"
     3: resistant to guidance or discipline; "Mary Mary quite
        contrary"; "an obstinate child with a violent temper"; "a
        perverse mood"; "wayward behavior" [syn: {obstinate}, {perverse},
         {wayward}]
     4: in an opposing direction; "adverse currents"; "a contrary
        wind" [syn: {adverse}]
     n 1: a relation of direct opposition; "we thought Sue was older
          than Bill but just the reverse was true" [syn: {reverse},
           {opposite}]
     2: exact opposition; "public opinion to the contrary he is not
        guilty"
     3: two propositions are contraries if both cannot be true but
        both can be false