contrivance

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /kənˈtɹaɪ.vəns/

Noun

contrivance (plural contrivances)

1. a (mechanical) device to perform a certain task
2. a means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective
   • 2005, Plato, Sophist. Translation by Lesley Brown. 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

• contraption

Related terms

• contrive

Translations

• French: appareil, dispositif
• German: Vorrichtung, Maschinerie, Apparat, Behelf
• Italian: aggeggio, marchingegno
• Portuguese: aparelho
• Russian: устро́йство
• Spanish: aparato

Translations

• German: Vorrichtung, Erfindung, Plan, Kniff, List, Kunstgriff, Planung, Findigkeit
• Italian: stratagemma, artefizio, espediente, accorgimento, sotterfugio
• Portuguese: artifício, artimanha
• Russian: зате́я
• Spanish: artificio, artimaña, estratagema

Translations

• Italian: catorcio, trabiccolo, carretta
• Russian: ухищре́ние
• Spanish: artefacto, artilugio

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