contrivance

• Nom désignant un dispositif, un mécanisme ou un plan ingénieux ou astucieusement conçu, parfois artificiel ou trop complexe.

A noun referring to a device, scheme, or plan, often cleverly or artificially designed, sometimes implying it is unnatural or overly elaborate.

1. A clever device or inventionC1formal

   A device or machine that is cleverly designed for a specific purpose.

   Dispositif ingénieux

   • The engineer showed us a clever contrivance for opening jars.
   • This contrivance allows the door to lock automatically.
   • The old clock was a mechanical contrivance of great complexity.

   Synonymesapparatusappliancecontraptiondevicegadgetimplementinventionmachinemechanismtool

2. A plan or schemeC1formal

   A clever, often deceitful, plan or scheme to achieve something.

   Stratagème

   • His story was a contrivance to avoid punishment.
   • The plot of the novel relied on an unlikely contrivance.
   • She saw through his contrivance immediately.

   Synonymesartificeconspiracydevicedodgeintriguemachinationmaneuverplotployruseschemestratagemtrick

3. Artificiality or unnaturalnessC2formal

   Something that seems forced, artificial, or unnatural.

   Caractère artificiel ou forcé

   • The dialogue in the play felt like a contrivance.
   • There was a sense of contrivance in their overly polite conversation.
   • The happy ending was a contrivance that didn't fit the story.

   Synonymesaffectationartificeartificialitypretensestaginesstheatricalityunnaturalness

   Antonymeseaseeffortlessnessfluiditynaturalnessspontaneity