contrivance

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con|triv|ance /kəntr'aɪvəns/ (contrivances)
1 [N-VAR]
If you describe something as a contrivance, you disapprove of it because it is unnecessary and artificial. (FORMAL)
They wear simple clothes and shun modern contrivances...
Music with a tendency towards contrivance and lack of substance.
2 [N-COUNT]
A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself.
...some contrivance to raise prices.
= ploy

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