Take the steam-engineit is a great contrivance, a wonderful invention; but the greatest of all was the discovery of the principle and operation, the practical phenomena of steam itself.

It's a very simple contrivance, and if a martin was not a good deal more stupid than a goose, he'd never be caught in one of them.

If there is a child in the house, it is sure to spot the playful innocent; and by means of an ingenious contrivance combining the principles of the gimlet and the air-pump, it soon relieves the little human bud of its superfluous juices.

[450] i.e., Plot or contrivance.

Tarlton produced a piece called "The Plat-form of the Seven Deadly Sins;" and in "Sir J. Oldcastle," by Drayton and others, first printed in 1600, it is used with the same meaning as in the text, viz., a contrivance for giving effect to the conspiracy.

The confederates were disconcerted in their measures: Richard, Earl Mareschal, who had succeeded to that dignity on the death of his brother William, was chased into Wales; he thence withdrew into Ireland, where he was treacherously murdered by the contrivance of the Bishop of Winchester [q].

" "Is it an electrical contrivance?" asked the cardinal, with a smile.

It would be seeking by deliberate contrivance to reproduce, in respect of this particular problem, the very conditions which occur to-day without aim or effort on the part of anyone at all.

They are in the hands of a faithful Creator and a bountiful Father, who disposes not of his creatures according to our narrow thoughts or opinions, nor distinguishes them according to names and species of our contrivance.

On the other hand, the poor disconsolate creature, who, in a country unknown to her, and a place so remote from help, felt like a mouse in the cat's claws, began casting in her mind by what possible contrivance she could escape from such a wretch with honour.

Rinaldo, in his absence, was thought to have been slain by the contrivance of Godfrey, which nearly produced a revolt of the forces.

The knights passed through the gates of the park of Armida, and entered a labyrinth made with contrivance the most intricate.

and to no purpose has he infused into them a spirit so strong and of such skilful contrivance as to reach a long way and to fashion the forms of things which are seen?

Authority speedily realized the danger, and took measures to place its yoke on the new contrivance, which promised to be such a powerful ally of reason.

Paley takes his instances of such contrivance largely from the organs and constitution of the human body.

I do believe that you have in your throat a little copper contrivance CHANTECLER That's it, that's what I have, very carefully concealed!

If thou art capable of taking in all my providences, in this letter, thou wilt admire my sagacity and contrivance almost as much as I do myself.

That this had embarrassed him not a little, as he would not for the world that she should have cause to think him capable of prevarication, contrivance, or double dealing; and that this made him desirous of a private conversation with her.

Perhaps, Jack, she had a thought, that this plea for the women accounted for my contrivance to have her pass to them as married, when I first carried her thither.

The strong emotions of my troubled soul Allow no pause for art or for contrivance; And dark perplexity distracts my counsels.

It was evident to every body that it was caused by human contrivance, because the flames burst forth in several places at once, and those at a distance from each other.

It was Joel's first experience with that marvelous contrivance, "the dummy."

There is no doubt but such a brain is a collection infinitely more precious, and of a far more excellent contrivance, than a book.

The simplicity of natural amusement is now past, and art and contrivance must improve our pleasures; but, in time, art, like nature, is exhausted, and the senses can no longer supply the cravings of the intellect.

A very simple contrivance released the creature from the slings, and off it swam, making the best of its way towards the land.