contrivance

Noun

contrivance (plural contrivances)

1. A (mechanical) device to perform a certain task.

   Synonyms:

   contraption

2. A means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective.
   • I mean to give something as slight and inexpensive as possible; but I have been so long out of the way of these things, that I am really quite at a loss, and must throw myself on your kindness, as I hope you will be with me, and also Mr. and Mrs. Gooch. You must arrange in such a manner as not to...1838 (date written), L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], chapter XVI, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume I, London: Henry Colburn, […], published 1842, →OCLC, page 208
   • And along with each of these go their images, not the things themselves, — they too have come about by godlike contrivance.2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 266b
3. Something overly artful or artificial.
   • When the stamens of a flower suddenly spring towards the pistil, or slowly move one after the other towards it, the contrivance seems adapted solely to ensure self-fertilisation; and no doubt it is useful for this end: but, the agency of insects is often required to cause the stamens to spring...1859 November 24, Charles Darwin, On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, […], London: John Murray, […], →OCLC
   • The Harry Hamlin character is a bit of a hypochondriac, a contrivance that exists for the sole purpose of bringing him into contact with the confused young doctor at the clinic.1982 February 13, Walta Borawski, “A Moonlight Walk in a Crimeless Park”, in Gay Community News, volume 9, number 29, page 7
4. The making of cunning or deceitful plans

   Synonyms:

   scheming, engineering