definition of
contrivance

[1] #1 contrivance n. [appliance, contraption, convenience, gadget, gizmo, gismo, widget] a device or control that is very useful for a particular job. wn

[2] #2 contrivance n. the faculty of contriving; inventive skill; "his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem". wn

[3] #3 contrivance n. [stratagem, dodge] an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade; "his testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track". wn

[4] #4 contrivance n. an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.; "the plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable". wn

[5] #5 contrivance n. [lash-up] any improvised arrangement for temporary use. wn