Contrivance

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

English (US): /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/

English (UK): /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/

Definitions

• A clever plan or scheme designed to achieve a particular end.
• A mechanical device or invention created for a specific function.
• The act of devising or planning something skillfully.

Usage Examples

• His escape from prison was a remarkable contrivance.
• The scientist’s contrivance allowed the machine to operate more efficiently.
• The author’s contrivance of the plot kept the readers engaged.

Etymology

Derived from the Middle English "contrivaunce," which stems from Old French "controver" (to find out or devise). The root Latin word "contropare" means to compare or imagine.

Synonyms

• Device
• Invention
• Scheme
• Plan
• Artifice

Antonyms

• Disorder
• Incompetence
• Accident

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• American English: /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/
• British English: /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/

Historical Usage

The term "contrivance" has been used in literature, science, and everyday speech for centuries to describe both physical inventions and cunning strategies. It was especially prominent during the 18th and 19th centuries in mechanical and engineering contexts.

Cultural Nuances

In different cultures, contrivance can have either a positive or negative connotation. In scientific and engineering communities, it is admired as ingenuity, while in storytelling, it can sometimes imply artificiality or excessive manipulation of events.

More Information

Contrivance plays a significant role in technological advancements and storytelling. From the contrivances of Da Vinci’s inventions to the plot devices in literature, the concept remains an essential aspect of human ingenuity and creativity.