[v. kuh
n-trast, kon-trast; n. kon-trast] 
| 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. |
| 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.” |
| 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. |