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Contraption: meaning, definitions and examples

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contraption

 

[ kənˈtræpʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

mechanical device

A contraption is a device or piece of equipment that appears strange or unnecessarily complicated. It often implies a sense of quirky or creative engineering. The term is frequently used to describe gadgets or machines that are innovative but perhaps not very practical or efficient. The ingenuity of a contraption is often its most commendable trait, even if it operates in a whimsical or unconventional manner.

Synonyms

device, gadget, invention, machine

Examples of usage

  • He built an unusual contraption to water his plants.
  • The garage was filled with all sorts of bizarre contraptions.
  • She invented a contraption to help her cook more efficiently.

Translations

Translations of the word "contraption" in other languages:

🇵🇹 aparelhagem

🇮🇳 यंत्र

🇩🇪 Gerät

🇮🇩 alat

🇺🇦 пристрій

🇵🇱 urządzenie

🇯🇵 装置

🇫🇷 dispositif

🇪🇸 dispositivo

🇹🇷 alet

🇰🇷 장치

🇸🇦 جهاز

🇨🇿 přístroj

🇸🇰 prístroj

🇨🇳 装置

🇸🇮 naprava

🇮🇸 tæki

🇰🇿 құрылғы

🇬🇪 მექანიზმი

🇦🇿 cihaz

🇲🇽 dispositivo

Etymology

The word 'contraption' is believed to have emerged around the mid-19th century, with its earliest recorded use in English dating back to about 1858. It is thought to be derived from the earlier term 'contrive', which means to devise or create. The suffix '-tion' is commonly used to form nouns indicating an action or resulting state. As technological advancements progressed, the use of 'contraption' expanded to describe a wide variety of mechanical devices, especially those that were crafted for a specific, often quirky purpose. While initially carrying a neutral connotation, over time 'contraption' has developed a somewhat humorous tone, suggesting that the device is more convoluted than necessary.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,478, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.