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con·triv·ance noun 1 : a mechanical device; broadly : something contrived, invented, or devised

2 : SCHEME, PLAN

3 : the act or faculty of contriving : the state of being contrived

Synonyms

contraption, creation, gadget, gimmick, gizmo, invention, jigger—more at GADGET

con·trive verb con·trived; con·triv·ing 1 : to form or create in an artistic or ingenious manner : PLAN, DEVISE

2 : to make devices : form plans, schemes, or designs

3 : to bring about with difficulty

Synonyms

[1] concoct, cook, devise, fabricate, invent, make up, manufacture, plan, think—more at INVENT

[2] conspire, intrigue, machinate, plot, scheme—more at PLOT

con·trived adjective : lacking in natural or spontaneous quality

Synonyms

affected, artificial, assumed, bogus, factitious, fake, false, feigned, mechanical, mock, phony, put-on, sham, spurious, unnatural—more at ARTIFICIAL

con·triv·er noun : one that contrives

1control verb con·trolled; con·trol·ling [ORIGIN: ME countrollen to verify, fr. AF countrerouler, fr. countreroule copy of an account, audit, fr. ML contrarotulus, fr. L contra against + ML rotulus roll]

1 : to exercise restraining or directing influence over : REGULATE

2 : to have power over : RULE

Synonyms

[1] bridle, check, constrain, contain, curb, govern, inhibit, regulate, rein, restrain, tame; also bottle (up), repress, suppress; arrest, interrupt, stop; block, hinder, impede, obstruct; gag, muzzle, silence

[1] check, circumscribe, confine, curb, inhibit, limit, restrain, restrict—more at LIMIT

[2] boss, captain, command, govern, preside, rule—more at GOVERN

[2] administer, carry on, conduct, direct, govern, guide, handle, manage, operate, oversee, regulate, run, superintend, supervise—more at CONDUCT

2control noun 1 : power to direct or regulate

2 : the condition of being restrained, checked, or controlled; also : RESERVE, RESTRAINT

3 : a device for regulating a mechanism

Synonyms

arm, authority, clutch, command, dominion, grip, hold, mastery, power, sway—more at POWER

con·trol·ler noun 1 : COMPTROLLER

2 : one that controls

con·tro·ver·sy noun, plural -sies 1 : a clash of opposing views

2 : strife through expression of opposing views or claims : DISPUTE

— con·tro·ver·sial adjective

Synonyms

difference, disagreement, dispute, dissension

con·tro·vert verb : DENY, CONTRADICT

— con·tro·vert·ible adjective

con·tu·ma·cious adjective : stubbornly disobedient

— con·tu·ma·cy noun

— con·tu·ma·cious·ly adverb

con·tu·me·ly noun, plural -lies : contemptuous treatment : INSULT

con·tu·sion noun : BRUISE

— con·tuse verb

co·nun·drum noun : an intricate and difficult problem : RIDDLE

Synonyms

enigma, mystery, mystification, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle, secret—more at MYSTERY

conv abbreviation 1 convention

2 convertible

con·va·lesce verb -lesced; -lesc·ing : to recover health gradually

— con·va·les·cent adjective or noun

Synonyms

gain, heal, mend, rally, recover, recuperate, snap back; also come round, come to, revive; cheer (up), perk (up); pull through, survive; recruit

con·va·les·cence noun : gradual recovery of health and strength after disease

Synonyms

comeback, rally, recovery, recuperation, rehabilitation; also resuscitation, revival; survival

con·vec·tion noun : circulatory motion in a fluid due to warmer portions rising and cooler denser portions sinking; also : the transfer of heat by such motion

— con·vec·tion·al adjective

— con·vec·tive adjective

convection oven noun : an oven with a fan that circulates hot air uniformly and continuously around the food

con·vene verb con·vened; con·ven·ing 1 : to come together, meet, or assemble in a group or body : ASSEMBLE, MEET

2 : to cause (persons) to assemble in a group or body : call or gather together

Synonyms

[1] assemble, cluster, collect, concentrate, conglomerate, congregate, forgather, gather, meet, rendezvous—more at ASSEMBLE

[2] assemble, call, convoke, muster, summon—more at CONVOKE

con·ve·nience noun 1 : SUITABLENESS

2