contrariness
UK[ˈkɒn.trə.ri.nəs]US[ˈkɑːn.trer.i.nəs]
n
the quality or state of being deliberately contrary and difficult to deal with.
n
the state of being opposite in nature or direction.
Morpheme Breakdown
contrary
ness
contrary
opposite
ness
state of
Etymology
the word "contrariness" is built upon the adjective "contrary," which entered english from old french contraire, itself derived from latin contrarius, meaning "opposite" or "opposed." the latin root contrarius is formed from the preposition contra, meaning "against," a word of proto-indo-european origin. the suffix "-ness," of germanic origin, is one of the most productive noun-forming suffixes in english, used to abstract the quality expressed by an adjective. thus, "contrariness" literally means "the state or quality of being against or opposite," a meaning that has evolved from a simple spatial or oppositional sense to encompass a psychological disposition of deliberate opposition and obstinacy.
Analysis
Structure: contrary (opposite) + ness (state of)
contrary: from latin contrarius (opposite, opposed), from contra (against). functions as the adjective root meaning "opposite" or "opposed".
ness: from old english -nes(s), a noun-forming suffix denoting a state, quality, or condition.
Examples
his constant contrariness made it impossible to reach a consensus.
the contrariness of the child's behavior was a source of frustration for the teacher.
there is a fundamental contrariness between their political ideologies.