contrare

Contrare is not a standard verb in Italian or in other widely used languages, and it does not appear as an independent entry in major dictionaries. In Italian writing, contrare is commonly regarded as a misspelling or regional/old-fashioned variant of contrarre, the regular verb meaning to contract or to catch a disease, and to incur obligations or costs. Because contrarre is the form used in contemporary Italian, contrare is rarely, if ever, accepted as a correct infinitive in standard usage.

Etymology and linguistic origin are linked to the Italian verb contrarre, which derives from the Latin contrahere, meaning to draw together, tighten, or contract. This lineage explains why contrarre, if encountered, would be understood as a mistaken form rather than a distinct lexical item with its own spelling or pronunciation rules.

Usage notes emphasize that contrare is generally encountered only as a typographical error, a misspelling caused by confusion with contrarre, or in historical texts where orthography varied. In modern Italian, speakers and writers should use contrarre in all standard contexts, such as contrarre una malattia (to contract a disease) or contrarre debiti (to incur debts). Correcting contrare to contrarre helps maintain standard spelling and clarity.

See also: contrarre, contrazione, Italian verbs of the -arre family, orthographic variation.