Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON-TRA-VEN'ED, pp.

Opposed; obstructed.

CON-TRA-VEN'ER, n.

One who opposes.

CON-TRA-VEN'ING, ppr.

Opposing in principle or effect.

CON-TRA-VEN'TION, n.

Opposition; obstruction; a defeating of the operation or effect; as, the proceedings of the allies were in direct contravention of the treaty.

CON-TRA-VER'SION, n. [L. contra and versio, a turning.]

A turning to the opposite side; antistrophe. – Congreve.

CON-TRA-YER'VA, n. [Sp. contrayerba; Port. contraherva; contra and yerba, herva, an herb, L. herba; a counter herb, an antidote for poison, or in general, an antidote.]

The popular name of various plants, as of some species of Dorstenia, Passiflora, &c.

CON-TREC-TA'TION, n. [L. contrectatio, tracto.]

A touching or handling. – Ferrand.

CON-TRIB'U-TA-BLE, a.

That can be contributed.

CON-TRIB'U-TA-RY, a. [See Contribute.]

Paying tribute to the same sovereign; contributing aid to the same chief or principal. It was situated on the Ganges, at the pace where this river received a contributary stream. – D'Anville, An. Geog.

CON-TRI'BUTE, v.i.

To give a part; to lend a portion of power, aid or influence; to have a share in any act or effect. There is not a single beauty in the piece, to which the invention must not contribute. – Pope.

CON-TRIB'UTE, v.t. [L. contribuo; con and tribuo, to grant, assign, or impart; It. contribuire; Sp. contribuir; Fr. contribuer. See Tribe, Tribute.]

1. To give or grant in common with others; to give to a common stock or for a common purpose; to pay a share. It is the duty of Christians to contribute a portion of their substance for the propagation of the gospel. England contributes much more than any other of the allies. – Addison.
2. To impart a portion or share to a common purpose; as, let each man contribute his influence to correct public morals.

CON-TRIB'U-TED, pp.

Given or advanced to a common fund, stock or purpose; paid as a share.

CON-TRIB'U-TING, ppr.

Giving in common with others to some stock or purpose; imparting a share.

CON-TRI-BU'TION, n.

1. The act of giving to a common stock, or in common with others; the act of lending a portion of power or influence to a common purpose; the payment of each man's share of some common expense.
2. That which is given to a common stock or purpose, either by an individual or by many. We speak of the contribution of one person, or the contribution of a society. Contributions are involuntary, as taxes and imposts; or voluntary, as for some undertaking.
3. In a military sense, impositions paid by a frontier country, to secure themselves from being plundered by the enemy's army; or impositions upon a country in the power of an enemy, which are levied under various pretenses, and for various purposes, usually for the support of the army.

CON-TRIB'U-TIVE, a.

Tending to contribute; contributing; having the power or quality of giving a portion of aid, or influence; lending aid to promote, in concurrence with others. This measure is contributive to the same end. – Taylor.

CON-TRIB'U-TOR, n.

One who contributes; one who gives or pays money to a common stock or fund; one who gives aid to a common purpose in conjunction with others.

CON-TRIB'U-TO-RY, a.

Contributing to the same stock or purpose; promoting the same end; bringing assistance to some joint design, or increase to some common stock.

CON-TRIS'TATE, v.t. [L. contristo.]

To make sorrowful. [Not used.] – Bacon.

CON-TRIS-TA'TION, n.

The act of making sad. [Not used.] Bacon.

CON'TRITE, a. [L. contritus, from contero; to break or bruise; con and tero, to bruise, rub or wear. See Trite.]

Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as, a contrite sinner. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Ps. li.

CON'TRITE-LY, adv.

In a contrite manner; with penitence.

CON'TRITE-NESS, n.

Deep sorrow and penitence for sin.

CON-TRI'TION, n. [L. contritio.]

1. The act of grinding or rubbing to powder. – Newton.
2. Penitence; deep sorrow for sin; grief of heart for having offended an infinitely holy and benevolent God. The word is usually understood to mean genuine penitence, accompanied with a deep sense of ingratitude in the sinner, and sincere resolution to live in obedience to the divine law. Fruits of more pleasing savor, from thy seed / Sown with contrition in his heart. – Milton. Imperfect repentance is by some divines called attrition.

CON-TRIV'A-BLE, a. [See Contrive.]

That may be contrived; capable of being planned, invented, or devised. Perpetual motion may seem easily contrivable. – Wilkins.

CON-TRIV'ANCE, n. [See Contrive.]

1. The act of inventing, devising or planning. There is no work impossible to these contrivances. – Wilkins.
2. The thing invented or planned; a scheme; plan; disposition of parts or causes by design. Our bodies are made according to the most orderly contrivance. – Glanville.
3. Artifice; plot; scheme; as, he has managed his contrivance well.