contrivance
pronunciation
How to pronounce contrivance in British English:
UK [kənˈtraɪvəns]
How to pronounce contrivance in American English:
US [kənˈtraɪvəns]
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- Noun:
- a device that is very useful for a particular job
- the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
- an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
- an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.
- any improvised arrangement for temporary use
- the act of devising something
Word Origin
- contrivance (n.)
- 1620s, from contrive + -ance.
Example
- 1. It was another good contrivance .
- 2. How do you feel my contrivance ?
- 3. And death is her expert contrivance to get plenty of life .
- 4. Persuasion and contrivance swept aside many obstacles .
- 5. Some things are beyond human contrivance .