What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Contrivance vs Design - What's the difference?

contrivance | design |

As nouns the difference between contrivance and design

is that contrivance is a (mechanical) device to perform a certain task while design is a plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system.

As a verb design is

(obsolete)  to assign, appoint (something to someone); to designate.

contrivance

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • a (mechanical) device to perform a certain task
  • a means, such as an elaborate plan or strategy, to accomplish a certain objective
  • * 2005 , .
    • And along with each of these go their images, not the things themselves, — they too have come about by godlike contrivance .
  • something overly artful or artificial

    • Related terms

    * contrive

    External links

    * *

    design

    English

    (wikipedia design)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A plan (with more or less detail) for the structure and functions of an artifact, building or system.
  • A pattern, as an element of a work of art or architecture.
  • The composition of a work of art.
  • Intention or plot.
  • * M. Le Page Du Pratz, History of Louisisana (PG), p. 40:
    • I give it you without any other design than to shew you that I reckon nothing dear to me, when I want to do you a pleasure.
  • * '>citation
  • * '>citation
  • The shape or appearance given to an object, especially one that is intended to make it more attractive.
  • * '>citation
  • The art of designing
    • Danish furniture design is world-famous.

    Derived terms

    * architectural design * design by contract * design pattern * hardware design * software design

    Related terms

    * designer

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete)  To assign, appoint (something to someone); to designate.
  • * 1646 , (Thomas Browne), Pseudodoxia Epidemica , I.10:
    • he looks not below the Moon, but hath designed the regiment of sublunary affairs unto inferiour deputations.
  • * Dryden
    • He was designed to the study of the law.
  • To plan and carry out (a picture, work of art, construction etc.).
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
    • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=1 citation , passage=The huge square box, parquet-floored and high-ceilinged, had been arranged to display a suite of bedroom furniture designed and made in the halcyon days of the last quarter of the nineteenth century, when modish taste was just due to go clean out of fashion for the best part of the next hundred years.}}
    Primitive people believe that gods designed the Earth and humans.
  • (obsolete) To mark out and exhibit; to designate; to indicate; to show; to point out; to appoint.
  • * Shakespeare
    • We shall see / Justice design the victor's chivalry.
  • * Beaumont and Fletcher
    • Meet me to-morrow where the master / And this fraternity shall design .

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

    * * * ----