contraption
/kənˈtɹæp.ʃən/ noun
Forms contraptions
- noun A machine that is complicated and precarious.
- noun (figuratively, derogatory or ironic) Any object.
Synonyms
contrivance device fandango gadget mechanism construction appliance convenience gizmo gismo widget
Etymology
Possibly a Western US English dialectal word of unknown origin. First attested in the early 19th century. Perhaps from contrive + trap + -tion, while also possibly approximating construction. Chambers suggests contrivance + adaption. Neither Chambers nor Concise Oxford suggests a US origin. Compare cantrip, cantrap (Scots dialect), a wilful piece of trickery.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A contrivance; a new-fangled device; --used scornfully.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “contraption”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details