contraption
/kən'træpʃn/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A contraption is a mechanical device or gadget, often one that is strange, complicated, or makeshift. It is typically created for a specific, often unusual, purpose and may appear odd, ingenious, or unnecessarily complex.
Usage
The word "contraption" is used to describe a physical object, usually a machine or tool. It often carries a tone of mild amusement, skepticism, or wonder about the device's complexity or unconventional design. It is a slightly informal term.
Examples
- He built a strange contraption out of old bicycle parts and a lawnmower engine to power his boat.
- The kitchen was full of weird contraptions for slicing, dicing, and peeling vegetables.
- This new cleaning contraption is supposed to save time, but it looks more complicated than just using a mop.
Advanced Usage
- "Heath Robinson contraption" (British English) / "Rube Goldberg contraption" (American English): These idioms refer to an overly complicated machine that performs a simple task in a convoluted way, named after cartoonists known for drawing such devices.
- Their solution was a real Rube Goldberg contraption involving pulleys, marbles, and a falling weight.
Variants and Related Words
- Contrivance (noun): A more formal synonym that can mean a device, scheme, or plan. It often implies cleverness or invention.
- The trap was a clever contrivance made from a bent sapling and some string.
Synonyms
- Device: A general term for an object made for a particular purpose.
- Gadget: A small mechanical or electronic device, often implying novelty.
- Apparatus: A complex device or set of equipment for a specific task.
- Contrivance: (See above).
- Mechanism: The working parts of a machine; a system of parts working together.
Antonyms
- Simplicity: The quality of being simple and easy to understand, the opposite of a contraption's often complex nature.
Noun
- a device or control that is very useful for a particular job