contrivance

noun ! Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contrivance at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

1. A device or control that is very useful for a particular job.
2. The faculty of contriving; inventive skill.

   his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem

3. An elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade.

   his testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track