1560s, of persons, "to transgress," from Middle French contravenir "to transgress, decline, depart," from Late Latin contravenire "to come against, oppose," in Medieval Latin "to transgress, break (a law)," from Latin contra "against" (see contra (prep., adv.)) + venire "to come" (from PIE root *gwa- "to go, come"). Of actions or things, "come or be in conflict with," 1660s. Related: Contravened; contravening.
contrariness
contrariwise
contrary
Contras
contrast
contravene
contravention
contretemps
contribute
contribution
contributor