transcription, транскрипция: [ kəntraɪv(ə)ns ]
( contrivances)
1.
If you describe something as a contrivance , you disapprove of it because it is unnecessary and artificial. ( FORMAL )
They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances...
Music with a tendency towards contrivance and lack of substance.
N-VAR [ disapproval ]
2.
A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself.
...some contrivance to raise prices.
= ploy
N-COUNT