n. state or quality of being contrary; opposition; inconsistency; contrariety; perverseness; obstinacy. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. contrarians, p. pr. of contrariare to oppose, fr. L. contrarius: cf. F. contrariant, p. pr. of contrarier to contradict. See Contrary. ] taking an opposing view, especially a view opposite to that taken by the majority. [ PJC ]

n. [ see contrarian, a.. ] a person who habitually takes a view opposite to that held by the majority; as, the contrarians in the stock market prefer to sell when most analysts advise us to buy. [ PJC ]

a. [ LL. contrarians, p. pr. of contrariare to oppose, fr. L. contrarius: cf. F. contrariant, p. pr. of contrarier to contradict. See Contrary. ] Contrary; opposed; antagonistic; inconsistent; contradictory. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

The struggles of contrariant factions. Coleridge. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Contrarily. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]