Med. [f. CONTRA- 1 + INDICANT. Cf. next.] A symptom that makes against a particular diagnosis, or is adverse to the use of a particular remedy or treatment in a disease.
1623. Hart, Arraignm. Ur., iv. 103. The contraindicant is the want of vigour and strength, hindering this worke.
1684. trans. Bonet’s Merc. Compit., X. 361. When other Remedies have been tried … and when there is no contra-indicant.
b. transf. = COUNTER-INDICATION.
1796. Burke, Lett. Noble Ld., Wks. VIII. 18. The malady was deep; it was complicated, in the causes and in the symptoms. Throughout it was full of contra-indicants.
1879. H. N. Hudson, Hamlet, 11. His behaviour has many contra-indicants.
