A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1470-1581, 1640-1653
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Contra, Contray, prep. [L. contrā.]
1. Against, in opposition to.Examples of the ellipt. phr. pro and contra or contra and pro occur in Howlat 272, Henr. Fab. 1210, Rolland C. Venus iv. 20, Montg. Misc. P. xlviii. 216. 1491 Acts Lords Auditors 153/1.
Delaying of the entring … to the saidis landis contra the forme of ane obligatioune 1493 Dunferm. B. Rec. 43.
But onye exceptione or contradictione to be maid … contray the said bref 1509 Bishop's Castle (1888) 44.
Act and discharge contra the sheriff of Drumfries for intromitting with any bluids commitid within the toune 1522 Melville Chart. 62.
To tak the saidis Schir Ihonnis part contray the Lard of Balwere 1561 Reg. Privy C. I. 173.
Ony decreit gevin contra the principallis awaytakaris of the gudis 1581 Misc. Spald. C. II. 54.
The craiftis men … begwid to wswirp contray the burges of gild 1640 Kirkcudbr. Min. Bk. 88.
Act contra William Gordone 1653 Peebles B. Rec. II. 8.
Thomas Moses lybell contra the toun was admitted to Thomas Moses probatioun
2. In contra (of), against; in violation of. 1470 Prestwick B. Rec. 14.
Ony man … that porchesis lorde, lard, gentill man or ony othir, … in contra of the fredome … of the said burghe 1521 Fife Sheriff Ct. 232.
Williame Lausone … noucht comperit … to here & se certane deposicionis … nore to except in contray thaim
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"Contra prep.". Dictionary of the Scots Language. 2004. Scottish Language Dictionaries Ltd. Accessed 14 Dec 2025 <http://www.dsl.ac.uk/entry/dost/contra_prep>
