contraption
A machine that is complicated and precariousA machine that is complicated and precarious.
» What do you call that contraption?
Meaning
2 sensesA machine that is complicated and precarious.
neumodischer Apparat, irres Gerät, seltsame Vorrichtung
приспособле́ниеprisposoblénije, устро́йствоustrójstvo
(derogatory, figuratively, ironic)Any object.
Ding, Objekt, Gerät
штуко́винаštukóvina, шту́чкаštúčka, ерунда́jerundá
- a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
Examples
7 sentencesWhat do you call that contraption?
This contraption is complicated to use.
Why, I wouldn't know what this contraption is supposed to do.
ruОткуда же мне знать, как работает эта хитрая штуковина.
deNun ja, ich habe keine Ahnung, was dieses Dingsbums tun soll.
An ancient race left ringed contraptions throughout the galaxy to shortcut through space-time.
Fascinated by nature’s solutions to complicated mechanical problems, such as birds’ flight, he envisioned contraptions along the lines of the bat’s skeleton.
Translations
8 languagesBy meaning 2
By meaning 2
Origin
Possibly a Western US English dialectal word of unknown origin. First attested in the earlPossibly a Western US English dialectal word of unknown origin. First attested in the early 19th century. Perhaps from contrive + trap + -tion, while also possibly approximating construction. Chambers suggests contrivance + adaption. Neither Chambers nor Concise Oxford suggests a US origin. Compare cantrip, cantrap (Scots dialect), a wilful piece of trickery.
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: contraptions| Singular | contraption |
|---|---|
| Plural | contraptions |
regular
Synonyms
11 synonyms- a device or control that is very useful for a particular job:appliancecontrivanceconveniencegadgetgizmogismowidget