ALL meanings of contrivance
con·triv·ance
C c - variable noun contrivance If you describe something as a contrivance, you disapprove of it because it is unnecessary and artificial. 3
- countable noun contrivance A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself. 3
- noun contrivance something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption 3
- noun contrivance the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability 3
- noun contrivance an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc 3
- noun contrivance an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem 3
- noun contrivance the act, way, or power of contriving 3
- noun contrivance something contrived, as an invention, mechanical device, or ingenious plan 3
- noun contrivance invention: machine, device 1
- noun contrivance plot, scheme 1
- noun contrivance something contrived; a device, especially a mechanical one. 1
- noun contrivance the act or manner of contriving; the faculty or power of contriving. 1
- noun contrivance a plan or scheme; expedient. 1
- noun contrivance A thing that is created skillfully and inventively to serve a particular purpose. 1
- noun contrivance a (mechanical) device to perform a certain task. 0
- noun contrivance a means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective. 0
- noun contrivance something overly artful or artificial. 0