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contra-

Against, contrary.

Latin contra, against.

Most words in contra‑ were created in Latin or Italian and have a figurative or abstract sense: contradict (Latin dicere, to speak); contravene (Latin venire, come); contraband (Italian, from bando, proclamation or ban), goods imported illegally. Compounds created in English include contraflow, contraception, and contraindication. Some are commonly hyphenated: contra-rotating. See also counter‑.

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