contrivance in WordNet English dictionary

1. a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
   appliance  contraption  contrivance  convenience  gadget  gizmo  gismo  widget 
   
2. the act of devising something
   devisal  contrivance 
   
3. any improvised arrangement for temporary use
   lash-up  contrivance 
   
4. an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade
   "his testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track"
   contrivance  stratagem  dodge 
   
5. the faculty of contriving; inventive skill
   "his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem"
   contrivance 
   
6. an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.
   "the plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable"
   contrivance