All 16 Uses of

contrary

in

Mansfield Park

...it is not at all necessary that she should be as accomplished as you are;—on the contrary, it is much more desirable that there should be a difference.
Chpt 2 (definition 1) *

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

In a quiet way, very little attended to, she paid her tribute of admiration to Miss Crawford's beauty; but as she still continued to think Mr. Crawford very plain, in spite of her two cousins having repeatedly proved the contrary, she never mentioned him.
Chpt 5 (definition 2) *

contrary = opposite

I am assured that it is safe at Northampton; and there it has probably been these ten days, in spite of the solemn assurances we have so often received to the contrary.
Chpt 6 (definition 3)

to the contrary = with an opposite or different effect

On the contrary, the knowing that there was such a provision for me probably did bias me.
Chpt 11 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

We cannot prove to the contrary, to be sure; but I wish you a better fate, Miss Price, than to be the wife of a man whose amiableness depends upon his own sermons; for though he may preach himself into a good-humour every Sunday, it will be bad enough to have him quarrelling about green geese from Monday morning till Saturday night.
Chpt 11 (definition 3)

to the contrary = the opposite

And I am convinced to the contrary.
Chpt 13 (definition 3)

to the contrary = of the opposite

While he spoke, Maria was looking apprehensively round at Edmund in full expectation that he must oppose such an enlargement of the plan as this: so contrary to all their first protestations; but Edmund said nothing.
Chpt 15 (definition 4) *

contrary to = in opposition to

…it was soon settled, that if nothing were heard to the contrary, Mrs. Grant might expect her.
Chpt 22 (definition 3) *

to the contrary = with an opposite effect

Not that we would have endangered his safety by any tremendous weather—but only by a steady contrary wind, or a calm.
Chpt 23 (definition 5) *

contrary = disagreeable (not blowing as desired)

But, on the contrary, it was no worse than, "I am sorry to say that I am unable to answer your question."
Chpt 25 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

Whenever she had thought of the minutiae of the evening, it had been as a matter of course that Edmund would begin with Miss Crawford; and the impression was so strong, that though her uncle spoke the contrary, she could not help an exclamation of surprise, a hint of her unfitness, an entreaty even to be excused.
Chpt 28 (definition 2)

contrary = of doing something different

On the contrary, she was so totally unused to have her pleasure consulted, or to have anything take place at all in the way she could desire, that she was more disposed to wonder and rejoice in having carried her point so far, than to repine at the counteraction which followed.
Chpt 28 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

She rushed out at an opposite door from the one her uncle was approaching, and was walking up and down the East room in the utmost confusion of contrary feeling, before Sir Thomas's politeness or apologies were over, or he had reached the beginning of the joyful intelligence which his visitor came to communicate.
Chpt 31 (definition 5)

contrary = disagreeable

On the contrary, I told him, I cannot recollect my exact words, but I am sure I told him that I would not listen to him, that it was very unpleasant to me in every respect, and that I begged him never to talk to me in that manner again.
Chpt 32 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

Her habits of ready submission, on the contrary, made her almost instantly rise and lead the way out of the room.
Chpt 36 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to an idea previously stated

On the contrary, she could think of nothing but Mansfield, its beloved inmates, its happy ways.
Chpt 39 (definition 1)

on the contrary = in opposition to the idea previously stated

Definitions:

(1) (on the contrary as in: on the contrary)
an expression used to intensify denial of an idea

editor's notes: More rarely, on the contrary is used to oppose an idea contained in what was just said rather than to oppose what was literally said. Here is an example: "I will not pay you for the work. On the contrary, I may sue you for damages." Suing for damages does not oppose not paying, but it does oppose the idea of paying.

(2) (contrary as in: a contrary idea)
different (perhaps opposite or mutually exclusive)

editor's notes: In formal logic, contrary propositions or contrary arguments describe two things that cannot both be true. They might be described as mutually exclusive. For example, a pet cannot be both a cat and a dog. It doesn't need to be either, but if it is one, it cannot be the other. So the statement that a pet is a cat and the statement that the same pet is a dog, are contrary statements.

(3) (to the contrary as in: to the contrary)
with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect

(4) (contrary to as in: contrary to)
in opposition to

editor's notes: You could also think of this as meaning, despite, or in spite of, or in conflict with; but since a common meaning of contrary is opposite, you many find it easiest to think of contrary to as in opposition to.

(5) (contrary as in: a contrary personality)
disagreeable -- typically in reference to someone's personality