What is the meaning of the prefix contra?

Answer 1

It means "against".

For example: "contradictory" means "against what has been said". "Contra" comes from Latin, and has an English form "counter", as in the American "counterclockwise", meaning "against the usual direction of the hands of a clock" (British: anticlockwise).

In music it refers to an instrument which reinforces a part but in a lower octave, as in English "contrabass", Italian "contrabbasso", German "Kontrabass" - the double-bass (which plays the bass line one octave lower than other bass instruments to enrich the sound). Similarly "contrabassoon", which sounds one octave lower than the ordinary bassoon, and "contrabass Clarinet", ditto.

"Contrast" and "Contrary" use the same root. Also in "counterpoint", "countermand", "contradistinction", "pros and contras" (arguments for and against) and so on.

Answer 2

"Contrast" has the prefix contra in it.

Answer 3

contradict

contraband

contraindicate

Answer 4

controversial