I. ˈkän.ˌtrast, -raa(ə)st, -raist also -rȧst noun
( -s )
Etymology: French contraste, from contraster
1.
[Middle French contrast, alteration (influenced by Old Italian contrasto, from contrastare ) of contrest, from contrester ]
obsolete : strife , opposition
2.
a. : diversity of adjacent elements in a work of art — opposed to gradation, transition
b. : juxtaposition of dissimilar elements in a work of art (as complementary colors or lines of different weight)
3.
a. : divergence between objects belonging to or having qualities belonging to the same category or associated in an actual or assumed relationship
the contrast between the British and American forms of democracy
blue eyes form a striking contrast to dark hair
many authors develop their characters by contrast
b. : comparison of like objects by means of which dissimilar qualities are made prominent
a child of average ability may appear dull by contrast with a brilliant brother
4. : a person or thing exhibiting difference upon comparison with another
as a contrast to the Queen, Ophelia brings a note of tenderness into the violent tragedy of Hamlet
5.
a. : the quality of a photograph determined by the magnitude of the brightness differences between adjacent parts
b. : the ratio of the maximum and minimum illuminances in a scene
a scene-lighting contrast of three to one
6. : a relationship accentuating the differences rather than the similarities between simultaneously or sequentially presented stimuli
a color contrast
Synonyms: see comparison
II. kən.ˈt-, ˈkän.ˌt- also ˈkän.ˈt- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: French contraster, from Middle French, to battle, resist, alteration (influenced by Old Italian contrastare ) of contrester, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin contrastare, from contra- + stare to stand — more at stand
intransitive verb
: to form a contrast : exhibit somewhat marked or noticeable difference or opposition
his fine words contrasted with his unscrupulous behavior
transitive verb
1. : to put in contrast : set off by contrast or form a contrast to
2. : to compare in respect of differences : exhibit especially antithetically the differences and relative worth of
compare and contrast the two eras
Synonyms: see compare