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contrast

 - 3 dictionary results

con⋅trast

  [v. kuhn-trast, kon-trast; n. kon-trast]
Use contrast in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
1. to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
–verb (used without object)
2. to exhibit unlikeness on comparison with something else; form a contrast.
3. Linguistics. to differ in a way that can serve to distinguish meanings: The sounds (p) and (b) contrast in the words “pin” and “bin.”
–noun
4. the act of contrasting; the state of being contrasted.
5. a striking exhibition of unlikeness.
6. a person or thing that is strikingly unlike in comparison: The weather down here is a welcome contrast to what we're having back home.
7. opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element's properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.
8. Photography. the relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.
9. Television. the brightness ratio of the lightest to the darkest part of the television screen image.
10. Linguistics. a difference between linguistic elements, esp. sounds, that can serve to distinguish meanings.
Origin:
1480–90; (v.) < MF contraster < It contrastare to contest < L contrā- contra-1 + stāre to stand; (n.) earlier contraste < F < It contrasto conflict, deriv. of contrastare

Related forms:
con⋅trast⋅a⋅ble, adjective
con⋅trast⋅a⋅bly, adverb
con⋅trast⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
1. differentiate, discriminate, distinguish, oppose.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To contrast
con·trast   (kən-trāst', kŏn'trāst')   
v.   con·trast·ed, con·trast·ing, con·trasts

v.   tr.
To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences: an essay that contrasts city and country life; contrasted this computer with inferior models.
v.   intr.

  1. To show differences when compared: siblings who contrast sharply in interests and abilities; a color that contrasted clearly with the dark background.

  2. Linguistics To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning: Voiced and voiceless stops contrast in English but not in Cree.

n.   (kŏn'trāst')

    1. The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects.

    2. The state of being contrasted: red berries standing in vivid contrast against the snow.

  2. A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared: the contrast between Northern and Southern speech patterns.

  3. One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another: My new school was a welcome contrast to the one before.

  4. The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art.

  5. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.

  6. Linguistics A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning.


[French contraster, from Italian contrastare, from Medieval Latin contrāstāre : Latin contrā-, contra- + Latin stāre, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
con·trast'a·ble adj., con·trast'ing·ly adv.
Usage Note: The noun contrast may be followed by between, with, or to: There is a sharp contrast between his earlier and later works. In contrast with (or less frequently, to) his early works, the later plays are dark and forbidding. When contrast is used as a transitive verb, both with and to may follow, though with is more common: Most scholars contrast the light comedies of his early career with (or to) the dark comedies that were written late in his life.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

contrast  (v.)
1695, from Fr. contraster, from It. contrastare "stand out against," from V.L. *contrastare "to withstand," from L. contra "against" + stare "to stand," from PIE base *sta- "to stand" (see stet). M.E. had contrest "to fight against, to withstand," which became extinct. Modern word re-introduced c.1700 as an art term.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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