English Explanatory Dictionary

contraption

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A machine that is complicated and precarious.
  2. Any object.

Pronunciation

/kənˈtɹæp.ʃən/ en-us-contraption.ogg en-au-contraption.ogg

Word forms

contraption contraptions

Etymology

Possibly 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.

Synonyms

contrivance device fandango gadget mechanism construction

Derived words

contraptionary contraptor
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