noun (n)

• a device or control that is very useful for a particular job(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  appliance, contraption, convenience, gadget, gismo, gizmo, widget
  

  source: wordnet30
• the faculty of contriving; inventive skill(noun.cognition)

  Example:
  His skillful contrivance of answers to every problem.
  

  source: wordnet30
• an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade(noun.cognition)

  Example:
  His testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track.
  

  Synonym:
  dodge, stratagem
  

  source: wordnet30
• an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.(noun.cognition)

  Example:
  The plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable.
  

  source: wordnet30
• any improvised arrangement for temporary use(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  lash-up
  

  source: wordnet30
• the act of devising something(noun.act)

  Synonym:
  devisal
  

  source: wordnet30
• The act or faculty of contriving, inventing, devising, or planning.(noun)

  source: webster1913