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Distinct vs Contrary - What's the difference?

distinct | contrary |

As adjectives the difference between distinct and contrary

is that distinct is capable of being perceived very clearly while contrary is opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.

As an adverb contrary is

contrarily.

As a noun contrary is

the opposite.

As a verb contrary is

(obsolete) to oppose; to frustrate.

distinct

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Capable of being perceived very clearly.
  • * {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=July-August, author= Fenella Saunders
  • , title= Tiny Lenses See the Big Picture, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=The single-imaging optic of the mammalian eye offers some distinct visual advantages. Such lenses can take in photons from a wide range of angles, increasing light sensitivity. They also have high spatial resolution, resolving incoming images in minute detail.}}
  • Different from one another (with the preferable adposition being "from").
  • * {{quote-book, year=1928, author=Lawrence R. Bourne, title=Well Tackled!
  • , chapter=13 citation , passage=“Yes, there are two distinct sets of footprints, both wearing rubber shoes—one I think ordinary plimsolls, the other goloshes,” replied the sergeant.}}
  • Noticeably different from others; distinctive.
  • Separate in place; not conjunct or united; with from .
  • * Clarendon
  • The intention was that the two armies which marched out together should afterward be distinct .
  • (obsolete) Distinguished; having the difference marked; separated by a visible sign; marked out; specified.
  • * Milton
  • Wherever thus created — for no place / Is yet distinct by name.
  • (obsolete) Marked; variegated.
  • * Spenser
  • The which [place] was dight / With divers flowers distinct with rare delight.

    Synonyms

    * prominent * separate * several (in dated sense)

    Antonyms

    * indistinct * (capable of being perceived very clearly) confusing * (different from one another) same

    contrary

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
  • contrary winds
  • * Bible, Leviticus xxvi. 21
  • And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me
  • * Shakespeare
  • We have lost our labour; they are gone a contrary way.
  • Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
  • * Whewell
  • The doctrine of the earth's motion appeared to be contrary to the sacred Scripture.
  • Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.
  • a contrary''' disposition; a '''contrary child

    Derived terms

    * contrarian * contrarily * contrariwise * contrary to

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • Contrarily
  • Noun

    (contraries)
  • The opposite.
  • * Shakespeare
  • No contraries hold more antipathy / Than I and such a knave.
  • One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true.
  • * I. Watts
  • If two universals differ in quality, they are contraries ; as, every vine is a tree; no vine is a tree. These can never be both true together; but they may be both false.

    Synonyms

    * witherward

    Derived terms

    * on the contrary * to the contrary

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • (obsolete) To oppose; to frustrate.
  • *Bishop Latimer
  • *:I was advised not to contrary the king.
  • *, I.47:
  • *:The Athenians having left the enemie in their owne land, for to pass into Sicilie , had very ill successe, and were much contraried by fortune.
  • (obsolete) To impugn.
  • (obsolete) To contradict (someone or something).
  • *:
  • *:thus wilfully sir Palomydes dyd bataille with yow / & as for hym sir I was not gretely aferd but I dred fore la?celot that knew yow not / Madame said Palomydes ye maye saye what so ye wyll / I maye not contrary yow but by my knyghthode I knewe not sir Tristram
  • *, II.12:
  • *:I finde them everie one in his turne to have reason, although they contrary one another.
  • (obsolete) To do the opposite of (someone'' or ''something ).
  • (obsolete) To act inconsistently or perversely; to act in opposition to .
  • (obsolete) To argue; to debate; to uphold an opposite opinion.
  • (obsolete) To be self-contradictory; to become reversed.
  • References

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