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- DictionaryCon·triv·ance/kənˈtrīv(ə)ns/
noun
- 1. the use of skill to bring something about or create something: "the requirements of the system, by happy chance and some contrivance, can be summed up in an acronym"
- 2. a device, especially in literary or artistic composition, which gives a sense of artificiality: "the often tiresome contrivances of historical fiction"
1. a. : a thing contrived. especially : a mechanical device. modern contrivances to cook food faster. b. : an artificial arrangement or development. Mistaken identity is used as a plot contrivance in the story. 2. : the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived. Synonyms. appliance. contraption. gadget. gimmick. gizmo. gismo.
the act of intentionally arranging for something to happen by clever planning, or something that is arranged in this way: Because of the timing, I'm sure the salary freeze is a deliberate contrivance, not a coincidence. I think the meeting happened more by contrivance than chance. [ C ]
the act of intentionally arranging for something to happen by clever planning, or something that is arranged in this way: Because of the timing, I'm sure the salary freeze is a deliberate contrivance, not a coincidence. I think the meeting happened more by contrivance than chance. [ C ]
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.
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 ...
5 days ago · contrivance in British English. (kənˈtraɪvəns ) noun. 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.
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.
