[f. L. contrādict-, ppl. stem of contrādīcēre, in cl. L. contrā dīcēre, to speak against. Cf. F. contredire.] = GAINSAY.
† 1. trans. To speak against or in opposition to; to oppose in speech; to forbid: a. a claim, action, purpose, etc. Obs.
1570–6. Lambarde, Peramb. Kent (1826), 223. The Crosier … (they of Canterbury claymed) ought to lye upon the Altar with them—but was contradicted by them of Rochester.
1595. Shaks., John, II. i. 280. Stand in his face to contradict his claime.
1616. Bullokar, Contradict, to gainsay, or speake against.
1717. De Foe, Hist. Ch. Scot. (1844), 7. The said Treaty and Marriage being proposed in Parliament, was so openly contradicted by the Priests in general … that [etc.].
1754. Richardson, Grandison (1781), II. 28. I will breakfast with him … to morrow morning, if he contradicts it not.
† b. a person, in his proposals, proceedings, etc.: To oppose.
1632. J. Hayward, trans. Biondi’s Eromena, 117. Being not used to contradict me.
1656. Bramhall, Replic., v. 191. They … shewed that he had nothing to doe to contradict them, more then they did contradict him when he thrust Novatus out of the Church.
1661. Ussher, Power Princes, I. (1683), 52. Whosoever did detract from his Empire, did contradict God that constituted it.
† c. intr. To speak in opposition, object to. Obs.
1616. Brent, trans. Sarpi’s Counc. Trent (1676), 167. Whereunto none of the holy Fathers contradicted.
2. trans. To affirm the contrary of; to declare untrue or erroneous; to deny categorically: a. a statement.
1582. N. T. (Rhem.), Acts xiii. 45. The Iewes … contradicted those things which were said of Paul.
1611. Shaks., Wint. T., III. ii. 24. Since what I am to say, must be but that Which contradicts my Accusation.
1651. Hobbes, Leviath., I. xiv. 65. An Absurdity, to contradict what one maintained in the Beginning.
1725. De Foe, Voy. round World (1840), 210. It went current among the seamen that the Spanish doctor was an Englishman. I took care that nobody should contradict it.
1850. McCosh, Div. Govt., II. iii. (1874), 240. They contradict some of the deepest principles of our nature.
Mod. The statement has been officially contradicted.
b. To deny the words or statement of (a person).
1605. Shaks., Macb., II. iii. 94. Deare Duff, I prythee contradict thy selfe, And say, it is not so.
1651. Hobbes, Govt. & Soc., Pref. That out of a desire they have to contradict others, they gainsay themselves.
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 193, ¶ 8. He certainly waits with impatience to be contradicted.
1841. Borrow, Zincali, I. viii. II. 352. They … never failed to contradict themselves, by permitting some expression to escape which belied their assertions.
1878. Jevons, Primer Pol. Econ., 8. No ordinary person of sense ventures to contradict a chemist about chemistry or an astronomer about eclipses.
absol. 1754. Chatham, Lett. Nephew, iv. 22. There is … a particular attention required to contradict with good manners.
1777. Sheridan, Sch. Scand., III. i. Contradicting isn’t the way to keep friends.
3. transf. Of a statement, action, etc.: To be contrary to in effect, character, etc.; to be directly opposed to; to go counter to, go against.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., II. (1631), 76. No truth can contradict any truth.
1630. Prynne, Anti-Armin., 137. Their liues … contradict their Doctrine.
1673. Milton, Samson, 301. Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, As to his own edicts found contradicting.
1698. Norris, Pract. Disc., IV. 72. Take Care that your Hands do not contradict your Tongue.
1729. Butler, Serm., xi. Wks. 1874, II. 135. To disappoint itself, and even contradict its own end. Ibid., ii. II. 25. To contradict or go against cool self-love.
1867. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), I. App. 630. These two versions do not formally contradict one another.
