contradico

Contradico is a Latin verb meaning “I contradict.” It is formed from the prefix contra- “against” and the verb dico “to say,” and it belongs to the third conjugation. The principal parts are contradico, contradicere, contradixī, contradictum. In the present active indicative the forms are contradico, contradicis, contradicit, contradicimus, contradicitis, contradicunt; the perfect is contradixī and the supine is contradictum. The passive forms include contradicor, contradiceris, contradicitur, contradicimur, contradicimini, contradicuntur.

Usage: In classical Latin, contradico expresses direct opposition to another’s statement. It is used to rebut, deny, or challenge an assertion within rhetorical, legal, or philosophical discourse, ranging from brief disagreement to formal refutation. The noun contradictio denotes the act or result of contradicting, and the related adjective contradictorius can describe something that negates or opposes another claim.

Origin and context: The verb combines contra- “against” with dico “to say,” illustrating a productive pattern in Latin for forming verbs of saying against a proposition. It appears in Latin literature from the late Republic into the Empire, often in debates, forensic speeches, and argumentative treatises where a claim is contested.

See also: contradictio, contradictum, Latin verbs of saying, argumentation in Latin.