All 6 Uses of
contrary
in
The Hound of the Baskervilles
- On the contrary, I have been to Devonshire.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1) *
- On the contrary, the evidence is that he avoided the moor.†
Chpt 3 (definition 1)
- On the contrary, I think we are particularly hot upon the trail, Sir Henry.†
Chpt 4 (definition 1)
- Then on Saturday, unless you hear to the contrary, we shall meet at the 10:30 train from Paddington.†
Chpt 5 (definition 2) *
- On the contrary, I have half a sovereign for you if you will give me a clear answer to my questions.†
Chpt 5 (definition 1)
- I had seen enough of the contrary nature of the old sinner to understand that any strong sign of interest would be the surest way to stop his confidences.†
Chpt 11 *
Definitions:
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(1) (on the contrary as in: on the contrary) an expression used to intensify denial of an ideaeditor'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.
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(2) (to the contrary as in: to the contrary) with an opposite or different effect; or something with an opposite or different effect
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(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.