contraption
[ kuh n-trap-shuh n ]
/ kənˈtræp ʃən /
noun Informal.
a mechanical contrivance; gadget; device.
Nearby words
contraplete, contrapose, contraposition, contrapositive, contrapposto, contraption, contrapuntal, contrapuntist, contrarian, contrariety, contrarily
Origin of contraption
Related formscon·trap·tious, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for contraption
British Dictionary definitions for contraption
contraption
/ (kənˈtræpʃən) /
noun
informal, often facetious, or derogatory a device or contrivance, esp one considered strange, unnecessarily intricate, or improvised
Word Origin for contraption
C19: perhaps from con (trivance) + trap 1 + (inven) tion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for contraption
contraption
1825, western England dialect, origin obscure, perhaps from con(trive) + trap, or deception.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper