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Webster 1913 Edition


Contrast

Con-trast′

,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Contrasted
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Contrasting
.]
[F.
contraster
, LL.
contrastare
to resist, withstand, fr. L.
contra + stare
to stand. See
Stand
.]
To stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of qualities.
The joints which divide the sandstone
contrast
finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars.
Lyell.

Con-trast′

,
Verb.
T.
1.
To set in opposition, or over against, in order to show the differences between, or the comparative excellences and defects of; to compare by difference or contrariety of qualities;
as, to
contrast
the present with the past
.
2.
(Fine Arts)
To give greater effect to, as to a figure or other object, by putting it in some relation of opposition to another figure or object.
the figures of the groups must not be all on side . . . but must
contrast
each other by their several position.
Dryden.

Con′trast

(kŏn′trȧst)
,
Noun.
[F.
contraste
: cf. It.
contrasto
.]
1.
The act of contrasting, or the state of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of qualities.
place the prospect of the soul
In sober
contrast
with reality.
Wordsworth.
2.
Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison.
The
contrasts
and resemblances of the seasons.
Whewell.
3.
(Fine Arts)
The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other’s peculiarities.
Fairholt.

Webster 1828 Edition


Contrast

CONTRAST

, v.t.
1.
To set in opposition two or more figures of a like kind, with a view to show the difference or dissimilitude, and to manifest the superior excellence of the one by the inferiority of the other, or to exhibit the excellence of the one and the defects of the other in a more striking view; as, to contrast two picture or statues.
2.
To exhibit differences or dissimilitude in painting and sculpture, by position or attitude, either of the whole figure or of its members; or to show to advantage by opposition or difference of position.
3.
To set in opposition different things or qualities, to show the superior excellence of one to advantage.
To contrast the goodness of God with our rebellion, will tend to make us humble and thankful.

CONTRAST

,
Noun.
1.
Opposition or dissimilitude of figures, by which one contributes to the visibility or effect of the other. Contrast, in this sense, is applicable to things of a similar kind. We never speak of a contrast between a man and a mountain, or between a dog and a tree; but we observe the contrast between an oak and a shrub, and between a palace and a cottage.
2.
Opposition, or difference of position, attitude, &c., of figures, or of their several members; as in painting and sculpture.
3.
Opposition of things or qualities; or the placing of opposite things in view, to exhibit the superior excellence of one to more advantage. What a contrast between modesty and impudence, or between a well-bred man and a clown!

Definition 2024


contrast

contrast

English

Noun

contrast (countable and uncountable, plural contrasts)

  1. (countable) A difference in lightness, brightness and/or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.
    1. (uncountable) The degree of this difference.
      The red and the orange don't have much contrast between them I can hardly tell them apart.
    2. (countable) A control on a television, etc, that adjusts the amount of contrast in the images being displayed.
  2. (countable) A difference between two objects, people or concepts.
    Israel is a country of many contrasts.
  3. (countable, uncountable, rhetoric) Antithesis.

Derived terms

Translations

Verb

contrast (third-person singular simple present contrasts, present participle contrasting, simple past and past participle contrasted)

  1. (transitive) To set in opposition in order to show the difference or differences between.
  2. (intransitive) To form a contrast.
    Foreground and background strongly contrast.
    • Lyell
      The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars.

Derived terms

Translations

See also


Catalan

Noun

contrast m (plural contrasts or contrastos)

  1. contrast