Category:Contravene

Con`tra*vene", v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contravened; p.pr. & vb.n. Contravening.] Etym: [LL. contravenire; L. contra + venire to come: cf. F. contrevenir. See Come.]

1. To meet in the way of opposition; to come into conflict with; to oppose; to contradict; to obstruct the operation of; to defeat. So plain a proposition. . . was not likely to be contravened. Southey.

2. To violate; to nullify; to be inconsistent with; as, to contravene a law. Laws that place the subjects in such a state contravene the first principles of the compact of authority. Johnson.

Syn. -- To contradict; set aside; nullify; defeat; cross; obstruct; baffle; thwart.