Con"trast (k&obreve;n"tr&adot;st), n. [F. contraste: cf. It.
contrasto.]
1. The act of contrasting, or the state
of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of
qualities.
place the prospect of the soul
In sober contrast with reality.
Wordsworth.
2. Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison.
The contrasts and
resemblances of the seasons.
Whewell.
3. (Fine Arts) The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such
juxtaposition more
vividly express each other's peculiarities.
Fairholt.
Con*trast" , v. t. 1. To
set in opposition, or over against, in order to show the differences between, or the comparative excellences
and defects of; to compare by
difference or contrariety of qualities; as, to contrast the present with the past.
2. (Fine Arts) To give greater effect to, as
to a figure
or other object, by putting it in
some relation of opposition to another figure or object.
the figures of the groups must not be all on side . . . but must contrast each other by their several position.
Dryden.
Con*trast" (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Contrasted;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Contrasting.]
[F. contraster, LL.
contrastare to resist,
withstand, fr. L. contra + stare to stand. See
Stand.] To stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of
qualities.
The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars.
Lyell.
Hear it pronounced