Contrivance - definition, pronunciation, transcription

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Amer.  |kənˈtraɪvəns|  American pronunciation of the word contrivance
Brit.  |kənˈtraɪv(ə)ns|  British pronunciation of the word contrivance

noun

- a device or control that is very useful for a particular job (syn: appliance, contraption, convenience, gadget, gismo, gizmo, widget)
- the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem
- an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade (syn: dodge, stratagem)
his testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track
- an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.
the plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable
- any improvised arrangement for temporary use (syn: lash-up)
- the act of devising something

Extra examples

The story is filled with plot contrivances that do not fit the ending.

He told the story honestly and without contrivance.

He convinced her to go without using contrivance.

A ridiculous series of plot contrivances moves the film along.

Harriet's matchmaking contrivances

Word forms

noun
singular: contrivance
plural: contrivances
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