contractor
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con·trac·tor /kən'træktər||'ka:ntræk-/ n a person or company that contracts to do work or provide supplies in large amounts, especially to provide building materials or workers for building jobs
con·trac·tu·al /kən'træktʃuəl/ adj of or agreed in a contract: a contractual duty to give three months' notice of your intention to leave | contractual obligations —ly adv: contractually binding
con·tra·dict /kəntrə'dɪkt||ˌka:n-/ v 1 [I;T] to say that (a person, opinion, something written or spoken etc) is wrong or untruthful: If you contradict me once more, you're fired! | Don't contradict your father! 2 [T] (of a statement, action, fact etc) to be opposite in nature or character to (another one); disagree with: Their alibis contradict each other. (=if one is true, the other must be false)
con·tra·dic·tion /ˌkntrə'dɪkʃən||ˌka:n-/ n 1 [C] a statement, action, or fact that contradicts another or itself: It is a contradiction to say you support the government but would not vote for it in an election. | The prosecution quickly pointed out the contradictions in the defendant's testimony. | 'Married bachelor' is a contradiction in terms. (=an impossible combination of words) 2 [C;U (between)] direct opposition between things compared; disagreement: Your behaviour is in (direct) contradiction to your principles. | There's no contradiction between the Prime Minister's views and my own. 3 [U] the act of contradicting or being contradicted: I think I can say, without fear of contradiction, that this is of vital importance for all of us.
con·tra·dic·to·ry /ˌkɒntrə'dɪktəri||ˌka:n-/ adj [(to)] contradicting; not in agreement: contradictory reports/desires/advice → see also SELF-CONTRADICTORY
con·tra·dis·tinc·tion /ˌkntrədɪ'stɪŋkʃən||ˌka:n-/ n in contradistinction to fml as opposed to; rather than; in CONTRAST to: plants in contradistinction to animals
con·tra·flow /'kɒntrəfləʊ||'ka:n-/ n especially BrE an arrangement on a large road by which traffic going in both directions uses only one side of the road, for example because the other side is being repaired: A temporary contraflow is in force on the motorway.
con·trail /'kɒntreɪl||'ka:n-/ also vapour trail n tech a line of white steam made in the sky by planes flying at a great height
con·tra·in·di·ca·tion /ˌkntrəˌndɪ'keɪʃən||ˌka:n-/ n tech a physical sign or condition which makes it inadvisable to take or continue taking a medicine: High blood pressure is a contraindication for this drug. —cated /-'ɪndɪkeɪtəd/ adj
con·tral·to /kən'træltəʊ/ n pl. -tos ALTO
con·trap·tion /kən'træpʃən/ n infml, usually derog a strange-looking machine or piece of equipment: I don't understand how this contraption works. | That's a curious contraption; what's it for?
con·tra·pun·tal /ˌkntrə'pʌntl, ˌka:n-/ adj of or using musical COUNTERPOINT —ly adv
con·tra·ri·wise /'kɒntrəriwaɪz, kən'treəri-||'ka:ntreri-/ adv old-fash or humor in the opposite way or direction; conversely (CONVERSE)
con·tra·ry¹ /'kɒntrəri||'ka:ntreri/ n 1 [the S] fml the opposite: They say he is guilty, but I believe the contrary. 2 on the contrary (used for expressing strong opposition or disagreement with what has just been said) not at all; no: 'I hear you are enjoying your new job.' 'On the contrary, I find it rather dull.' 3 to the contrary to the opposite effect; differently: If you don't hear (anything) to the contrary I'll meet you at seven o'clock tonight. | You may be right; there's no evidence to the contrary.
USAGE Compare on the contrary, on the other hand, in contrast. Use on the contrary to show complete disagreement with what has just been said: 'Does it rain a lot in the desert?' 'On the contrary it hardly ever rains.' Use on the other hand when adding a new and different fact to a statement: It rarely rains in the desert, but on the other hand it rains a lot in the coastal areas. Use in contrast to show the (surprising) difference between two very different facts: It is hot in the desert in the day, but in contrast it's very cold at night.
contrary² adj 1 [(to)] completely different or wholly opposed: contrary opinions/opinions contrary to mine | Contrary to (=against) all our advice, he gave up his job. 2 fml (of weather conditions) unfavourable; ADVERSE: Our sailing boat was delayed by contrary winds.
con·trar·y³ /kən'treəri/ adj (of a person) tending to go against the wishes of others; difficult to deal with or work with; OBSTINATE: Don't be so contrary! —ily adv —iness n [U]
con·trast¹ /'kɒntrɑ:st||'ka:ntræst/ n 1 [U(with, to)] the comparison of objects or situations that are dissimilar, especially to show differences: In contrast with/to your belief that we will fail, I am confident that we will succeed. | The coastal areas have mild winters, but by contrast the central plains become extremely cold. → see CONTRARY (USAGE) 2 [C;U(between)] (a) difference between people or things that are compared: Such a contrast between brother and sister is surprising. | This artist uses contrast (=between light and dark, or different colours) skilfully. | The contrast between this year's high profits and last year's big losses is really quite striking. 3 [C(to, for)] something noticeably different from something else: The black furnishings provide an interesting contrast to the white walls. 4 [the+U] the degree of difference between the light and dark parts of a photograph or of a television picture: Can you adjust the contrast please?
con·trast² /kən'trɑ:st||-'træst/ v [(with)] 1 [T] to compare (two things or people) so that differences are made clear: In her speech she contrasted the government's optimistic promises with its dismal achievements. 2 [I] to show a difference when compared: His behaviour contrasts unfavourably with his principles. | sharply contrasting attitudes
con·tra·vene /ˌkɒntrə'vi:n||ˌka:n-/ v [T] fml to act in opposition to; break (a law, rule, custom etc): to contravene the parking regulations —vention /'venʃən/ n [C;U] to act in contravention of the law | in direct contravention of my instructions | repeated contraventions of the rules
con·tre-temps /'kɒntrətɑ̃||ˌka:ntrətɑ:n/ n pl. -temps /'tɒŋz||ta:nz/ Fr, often humor an unlucky and unexpected event, especially a socially uncomfortable one: There was a slight contretemps when both his girlfriends arrived together.
con·trib·ute /kən'trɪbju:t/ v 1 [I;T(to, towards)] to join with others in giving (money, help etc): I contributed (a pound) towards Jane's leaving present. 2 [I(to)] to help in causing a situation, event, or condition: Various factors contributed to his downfall. | This advertising campaign has contributed significantly to the success of the new car. | She didn't contribute anything to the discussion. 3 [I;T(to)] to write and send (a written article) to a magazine, newspaper etc: She regularly contributes to the college magazine.
con·tri·bu·tion /ˌkntrɪ'bju:ʃən||ˌka:n-/ n 1 [C;U(to, towards)] the act of contributing or something contributed: Chekhov's contribution to Russian literature | He has made an important contribution to the company's success. 2 [C] an amount of money given to a cause, CHARITY etc: All contributions, however small, will be greatly appreciated. 3 [C usually pl.] a regular payment, especially to the state, to pay for something such as a PENSION etc: Are you up-to-date with your National Insurance contributions?
con·trib·u·tor /kən'trɪbjʊtər/ n [(to)] a person who contributes: a regular contributor to our magazine
con·trib·u·to·ry /kən'trɪbjʊtəri||-tɔ:ri/ adj 1 [A] helping to bring about a result: His heavy smoking was a contributory cause of his early death. 2 (of a PENSION or insurance plan) paid for by the workers as well as by the employer → opposite NONCONTRIBUTORY
con,tributory 'negligence n [U] law failure to take enough care to avoid or prevent an accident, leading to being held partly responsible in law for any damage, loss etc caused: He drove the car with worn tyres, so he was found guilty of contributory negligence when it skidded across the road and injured two pedestrians.
con·trite /'kɒntrat||'ka:n-/ adj old use or lit feeling or showing guilt or sorrow for your actions: a contrite apology —ly adv —trition /kən'trɪʃən/ n [U]
con·triv·ance /kən'traɪvəns/ n fml 1 [C] something contrived, especially a machine or apparatus: a clever new