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- Dictionarycontrivance/kənˈtrʌɪvns/
noun
- 1. the use of skill to create or bring about something, especially with a consequent effect of artificiality: "the requirements of the system, by happy chance and some contrivance, can be summed up in an acronym" Similar
- 2. a device, especially in literary or artistic composition, which gives a sense of artificiality: "the often tiresome contrivances of historical fiction"
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The meaning of CONTRIVANCE is a thing contrived; especially : a mechanical device. How to use contrivance in a sentence.
CONTRIVANCE definition: 1. the act of intentionally arranging for something to happen by clever planning, or something that…. Learn more.
noun. something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption. the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability. an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc.
CONTRIVANCE meaning: 1. the act of intentionally arranging for something to happen by clever planning, or something that…. Learn more.
A contrivance is a useful device or tool. It might be assembled or invented, and it's often mechanical, although you can really refer to anything that's made for a specific purpose as a contrivance. The word sometimes also implies a falseness or obviousness, like the contrivance of a spy's very fake-looking beard that's supposed to disguise him ...
A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself.
contrivance. [countable, uncountable] (usually disapproving) something that somebody has done or written that does not seem natural; the fact of seeming artificial. The film is spoilt by unrealistic contrivances of plot. The story is told with a complete absence of contrivance.
n. 1. something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption. 2. the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability. 3. an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc. 4. an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem.
Synonyms for CONTRIVANCE: gadget, tool, contraption, appliance, mechanism, gizmo, gimmick, accessory; Antonyms of CONTRIVANCE: imitation, copy, reproduction, duplicate, duplication, facsimile, replication, replica.
Contrivance Definition. The act, way, or power of contriving. The state of being contrived. Something contrived, as an invention, mechanical device, or ingenious plan. A means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective.