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con·trast   
(kn-trst, kntrst)  See the pronunciation key 

VERB:
con·trast·ed, con·trast·ing, con·trasts
VERB:
tr.

To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences: an essay that contrasts city and country life; contrasted this computer with inferior models.

VERB:
intr.

1. To show differences when compared: siblings who contrast sharply in interests and abilities; a color that contrasted clearly with the dark background.
2. Linguistics To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning: Voiced and voiceless stops contrast in English but not in Cree.

NOUN:
(kntrst)

1. 1. The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects.
   2. The state of being contrasted: red berries standing in vivid contrast against the snow.
2. A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared: the contrast between Northern and Southern speech patterns.
3. One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another: My new school was a welcome contrast to the one before.
4. The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art.
5. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.
6. Linguistics A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning.

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ETYMOLOGY:
French contraster, from Italian contrastare, from Medieval Latin contrstre : Latin contr-, contra- + Latin stre, to stand; see st- in Indo-European roots

OTHER FORMS:
con·trasta·ble(Adjective), con·trasting·ly(Adverb)
Usage Note:
The noun contrast may be followed by between, with, or to: There is a sharp contrast between his earlier and later works. In contrast with

(or less frequently,

to

)

his early works, the later plays are dark and forbidding. When contrast is used as a transitive verb, both with and to may follow, though with is more common: Most scholars contrast the light comedies of his early career with

(or

to

)

the dark comedies that were written late in his life.