English主要词典
contrivance
Universal Words
noun (formal)
1 [C,U] (usually disapproving) something that sb has done or written that does not seem natural; the fact of seeming artificial:
The film is spoilt by unrealistic contrivances of plot. * The story is told with a complete absence of contrivance. * Examinations are a contrivance to see how a student tackles new problems.
2 [C] a clever or complicated device or tool made for a particular purpose:
His workshop was full of mechanical contrivances.
3 [C,U] a clever plan or trick; the act of using a clever plan or trick:
an ingenious contrivance to get her to sign the document without reading it