I. kən-ˈtrast, ˈkän-ˌ verb
Etymology: French contraster, from Middle French, to oppose, resist, alteration of contrester, from Vulgar Latin * contrastare, from Latin contra- + stare to stand — more at stand
Date: 1646
transitive verb
: to set off in contrast : compare or appraise in respect to differences
contrast European and American manners
— often used with to or with
contrast ing her with other women — Victoria Sackville-West
intransitive verb
: to form a contrast
Synonyms: see compare
• con·trast·able -ˈtras-tə-bəl, -ˌtras- adjective
• con·trast·ing·ly -tiŋ-lē adverb
II. ˈkän-ˌtrast noun
Date: 1711
1.
a. : juxtaposition of dissimilar elements (as color, tone, or emotion) in a work of art
b. : degree of difference between the lightest and darkest parts of a picture
2.
a. : the difference or degree of difference between things having similar or comparable natures
the contrast between the two forms of government
b. : comparison of similar objects to set off their dissimilar qualities : the state of being so compared
the enforced simplicity in this diary…is in contrast to the intensity of his former life — Times Literary Supplement
3. : a person or thing that exhibits differences when compared with another