contradicunt

Contradicunt is a Latin verb form meaning “they contradict.” It is the third person plural present indicative active of contradicere, a verb meaning to oppose by speech or to deny someone’s statement.

Etymology and morphology: The verb derives from the prefix contra- meaning against, combined with the verb dicere, “to say.” In classical Latin it forms the present active indicative with the standard -unt ending for the third person plural: contradicunt. The principal parts are commonly cited as contradico, contradicere, contradixit, contradictus, reflecting its origin from contra- + dicere and its perfect form with -ixit (contradixit).

Usage and examples: Contradicunt appears in contexts where speakers oppose a statement, argument, or position. It translates to “they contradict” in English and can carry the nuance of denying or disputing what has been said. Example usage: “alii contradicunt” meaning “others contradict” or “others dispute it.” In translation, the sense is closely aligned with gainsay or deny, depending on the surrounding discourse.

Related forms and notes: Related forms include contradico (present first person singular: I contradict), contradicere (the infinitive: to contradict), contradixit (he contradicted), and contradictus (having been contradicted). The term is found in literary, legal, and philosophical Latin, where to contradict a proposition is a common rhetorical action.