contrast
Noun · VerbOpen English WordNet
Noun (5)contrasts
- the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared“in contrast to”“by contrast”Synonyms: direct contrastType of opposition, oppositeness
- the act of distinguishing by comparing differencesType of comparison, comparing
- a conceptual separation or distinction“there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity”Synonyms: linedividing linedemarcationType of differentiation, distinctionKinds Rubicon, point of no return
- the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colorsType of visual perception, beholding
- the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)Type of scope, range
Verb (2)contrasts, contrasted, contrasting
- put in opposition to show or emphasize differences“The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student”More general distinguish, separate
- to show differences when compared; be different“the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities”Synonyms: counterpointMore general differMore specific oppose, conflict, foil
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Translations
Noun difference that makes colours more or less distinguishable
The main translation for each meaning, from the langtolang.com multilingual dictionary. Each word links to its full entry there.
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: 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.— Sir Charles Lyell
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.— John Dryden
Origin: 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.— William Wordsworth
2. Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison.
The contrasts and resemblances of the seasons.— William Whewell
3. Fine arts The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other's peculiarities. Fred. William Fairholt
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54