con•trast/v. kənˈtræst, ˈkɑntræst; n. ˈkɑntræst/USA pronunciationv.
to compare in order to show differences:[~ + object + and/with + object]In the essay you have to contrast your hometown's transportation system with that of a big city system.
to form a contrast:[~ + with + object]The singer's soothing voice contrasts with her wild appearance.
n.
the act of contrasting or the state of being contrasted:[uncountable* often: in + ~ + with]In contrast with your views, the president believes just the opposite.
a striking difference between two things:[countable]a big contrast in views between the two opponents.
a person or thing that is strikingly unlike another in comparison:[countable]a great contrast between the first candidate and the second.
to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of:Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
v.i.
to exhibit unlikeness on comparison with something else; form a contrast.
Phonetics, Linguistics[Ling.]to differ in a way that can serve to distinguish meanings:The sounds(p) and (b) contrast in the words "pin'' and "bin.''
n.
the act of contrasting; the state of being contrasted.
a striking exhibition of unlikeness.
a person or thing that is strikingly unlike in comparison:The weather down here is a welcome contrast to what we're having back home.
Fine Artopposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element's properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.
Photographythe relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.
Radio and Television[Television.]the brightness ratio of the lightest to the darkest part of the television screen image.
Phonetics, Linguistics[Ling.]a difference between linguistic elements, esp. sounds, that can serve to distinguish meanings.
Italian contrasto conflict, derivative of contrastare
French
Latin contrā-contra-1 + stāre to stand; (noun, nominal) earlier contraste
(often followed by with)to distinguish or be distinguished by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities
/ˈkɒntrɑːst/
distinction or emphasis of difference by comparison of opposite or dissimilar things, qualities, etc (esp in the phrases by contrast, in contrast toorwith)
a person or thing showing notable differences when compared with another
(in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colours, tones, etc
(of a photographic emulsion) the degree of density measured against exposure used
the extent to which adjacent areas of an optical image, esp on a television screen or in a photographic negative or print, differ in brightness
the phenomenon that when two different but related stimuli are presented close together in space and/or time they are perceived as being more different than they really are
Etymology: 16th Century: (n): via French from Italian, from contrastare (vb), from Latin contra- against + stare to standconˈtrastingconˈtrastiveconˈtrastively
'in contrast' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):