2 meanings, 13 uses
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1 —4 uses as in:
contrary to
Definition
in opposition to
- There are some laws and customs in this empire very peculiar; and if they were not so directly contrary to those of my own dear country, I should be tempted to say a little in their justification.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (64% in)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- That the said Quinbus Flestrin, contrary to the duty of a faithful subject, is now preparing to make a voyage to the court and empire of Blefuscu, for which he has received only verbal license from his imperial majesty; and, under colour of the said license, does falsely and traitorously intend to take the said voyage, and thereby to aid, comfort, and abet the emperor of Blefuscu, so lately an enemy, and in open war with his imperial majesty aforesaid.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (81% in)
- For, I remember very well, in a discourse one day with the king, when I happened to say, "there were several thousand books among us written upon the art of government," it gave him (directly contrary to my intention) a very mean opinion of our understandings.Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (78% in)
- I told him "we fed on a thousand things which operated contrary to each other; that we ate when we were not hungry, and drank without the provocation of thirst; that we sat whole nights drinking strong liquors, without eating a bit, which disposed us to sloth, inflamed our bodies, and precipitated or prevented digestion; that prostitute female Yahoos acquired a certain malady, which bred rottenness in the bones of those who fell into their embraces; that this, and many other diseases,...Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (42% in)
There are no more uses of "contrary to" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —3 uses as in:
on the contrary
Definition
an expression used to intensify denial of an idea
- Yet, so far have you been from answering my expectation in any of your letters; that on the contrary you are loading our carrier every week with libels, and keys, and reflections, and memoirs, and second parts; wherein I see myself accused of reflecting upon great state folk; of degrading human nature (for so they have still the confidence to style it), and of abusing the female sex.Introductory Sections (63% in)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- ...to tell his majesty, "that the contempt he discovered towards Europe, and the rest of the world, did not seem answerable to those excellent qualities of mind that he was master of; that reason did not extend itself with the bulk of the body; on the contrary, we observed in our country, that the tallest persons were usually the least provided with it; that among other animals, bees and ants had the reputation of more industry, art, and sagacity, than many of the larger kinds; and that,...Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (65% in)
- ...forbear admiring at these odd appearances, both in town and country; and I made bold to desire my conductor, that he would be pleased to explain to me, what could be meant by so many busy heads, hands, and faces, both in the streets and the fields, because I did not discover any good effects they produced; but, on the contrary, I never knew a soil so unhappily cultivated, houses so ill contrived and so ruinous, or a people whose countenances and habit expressed so much misery and want.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (34% in)
There are no more uses of "on the contrary" flagged with this meaning in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —6 uses
exact meaning not specified
- Whether they had ever, at different times, pleaded for and against the same cause, and cited precedents to prove contrary opinions?Part 2 — A Voyage to Brobdingnag (70% in)
- The rest of my cattle I got safe ashore, and set them a-grazing in a bowling-green at Greenwich, where the fineness of the grass made them feed very heartily, though I had always feared the contrary: neither could I possibly have preserved them in so long a voyage, if the captain had not allowed me some of his best biscuit, which, rubbed to powder, and mingled with water, was their constant food.Part 1 — A Voyage to Lilliput (99% in)
- I was complaining of a small fit of the colic, upon which my conductor led me into a room where a great physician resided, who was famous for curing that disease, by contrary operations from the same instrument.Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (44% in)
- He likewise directed, "that every senator in the great council of a nation, after he had delivered his opinion, and argued in the defence of it, should be obliged to give his vote directly contrary; because if that were done, the result would infallibly terminate in the good of the public."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (54% in)
- The second was of an opinion directly contrary; "to tax those qualities of body and mind, for which men chiefly value themselves; the rate to be more or less, according to the degrees of excelling; the decision whereof should be left entirely to their own breast."Part 3 — A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, .... (56% in)
- For nature (as the physicians allege) having intended the superior anterior orifice only for the intromission of solids and liquids, and the inferior posterior for ejection, these artists ingeniously considering that in all diseases nature is forced out of her seat, therefore, to replace her in it, the body must be treated in a manner directly contrary, by interchanging the use of each orifice; forcing solids and liquids in at the anus, and making evacuations at the mouth.Part 4 — A Voyage to the Country of the Houyhnms (43% in)
There are no more uses of "contrary" in Gulliver's Travels.
Typical Usage
(best examples)