contrivance
UK[kənˈtraɪvəns]US[kənˈtraɪvəns]
n
a clever or complex device or plan, often seen as artificial or unnatural.
n
the use of skill to create or achieve something, especially in a deceptive or artificial way.
Morpheme Breakdown
con
triv
ance
con
together, with
triv
commonplace, found everywhere
ance
Etymology
the word "contrivance" originates from the middle english 'contriven', meaning "to devise or plan", which was borrowed from old french 'controver'. this old french term stems from the late latin 'contropare', meaning "to compare", a compound of the latin 'con-' (together) and 'tropus' (figure of speech, from greek 'tropos'). the core root 'triv' is linked to the latin 'trivium', a place where three roads meet, associated with public, commonplace, and hence trivial matters. the semantic journey moved from the idea of "bringing together common elements" to "inventing or devising", often with a connotation of artificial assemblage. the suffix '-ance' solidifies it as a noun denoting the product or act of such invention.
Analysis
Structure: con + triv + ance
con: (latin) a prefix meaning "together, with".
triv: (latin) from the root of 'trivium', related to 'trivialis', meaning "commonplace, found everywhere".
ance: (latin) a noun-forming suffix indicating a state, quality, or action.
Examples
the plot of the movie relies too heavily on coincidence and mechanical contrivance.
he viewed the elaborate security system as a remarkable contrivance of modern engineering.
her story was a transparent contrivance to gain sympathy.