contrastive

Variant of contrast

contrast definition

con·trast (kən trast′; for n. kän′trast′)

transitive verb

to compare so as to point out the differences; set off against one another

Etymology: Fr contraster < It & VL *contrastare, to withstand < L contra, against + stare, to stand

intransitive verb

to show differences when compared; form a contrast

noun

  1. a contrasting or being contrasted
  2. a difference, esp. a striking difference, between things being compared
  3. a person or thing showing differences when compared with another
  4. the effect of a striking difference, as in color or tone, of adjacent parts of a painting, photograph, video-screen image, etc.

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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