contrivance

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English

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Etymology

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From contrive +‎ -ance.

Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /kənˈtɹaɪ.vəns/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Noun

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contrivance (plural contrivances)

  1. A (mechanical) device to perform a certain task; contraption.
  2. A means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective.
    • 1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. [], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, [], published 1842, →OCLC, page 208:
      I mean to give something as slight and inexpensive as possible; but I have been so long out of the way of these things, that I am really quite at a loss, and must throw myself on your kindness, as I hope you will be with me, and also Mr. and Mrs. Gooch. You must arrange in such a manner as not to blush for your own contrivances.
    • 2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 266b:
      And along with each of these go their images, not the things themselves, — they too have come about by godlike contrivance.
  3. Something overly artful or artificial.

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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Further reading

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