Also 7 contrist, 8 contraste. See also CONTRASTO. [a. F. contraste (masc.), ad. It. contrasto (= Pr. contrast, Sp. contraste) contention, opposition: see CONTRASTO. Introduced c. 1600, and adversely criticized in 1644 as a new-fangled term, the word soon became obsolete in the literal sense. Reintroduced with the vb. as a term of Art c. 1700.]
† I. 1. Contention, strife; = CONTRASTO. Obs.
1597. Daniel, Civ. Wares, VIII. xlix. Nor was it now a time to have contrast with any sovereign, mighty potentate. Ibid. (1613), Coll. Hist. Eng., II. 91. He [William I.] married Matilde … but not without contrast [edd. 1621, 1626 contrist; 1634, 1650 ‘revised and corrected’ contest] and trouble.
1644. Vindex Anglicus, 5. How ridiculous … is the merchandise they [verbal innovators] seek to sell for current. Let me afford you a few examples … read and censure Adpugne … Ebriolate, Caprious, Contrast, [etc.].
a. 1670. Hacket, Abp. Williams, II. 209 (D.). In all these contrasts the Archbishop prevailed.
II. 2. Fine Arts. The juxtaposition of varied forms, colors, etc., so as to heighten by comparison the effect of corresponding parts and of the whole composition.
1711. Shaftesb., Charac. (1737), III. 368. That regular contraste and nice ballance of movement, which painters are apt to admire as the chief grace of figures.
1742. Richardson, Pamela, IV. 113. If there be an artful Contraste in the Drama, there will be the same in the Musick.
1766. Goldsm., Vic. W., viii. The Roman poet understands the use of contrast better.
1851. Ruskin, Mod. Paint., I. Pref. ed. 2. 35. Contrast increases the splendour of beauty, but it disturbs its influence; it adds to its attractiveness, but diminishes its power.
3. Comparison of objects of like kind whereby the difference of their qualities or characteristics is strikingly brought out; manifest exhibition of opposing qualities, an instance of this.
1731. Lett. fr. Fog’s Weekly Jrnl. (1732), II. 257. Contraste of Scenes! Behold a worthless Tool, [etc.].
1752. Johnson, Rambler, No. 194, ¶ 10. Accident may indeed sometimes produce a lucky parallel or a striking contrast.
1856. Emerson, Eng. Traits, Manners, Wks. (Bohn), II. 51. The steep contrasts of condition create the picturesque in society.
1860. Tyndall, Glac., I. iv. 34. The contrast between the two waters was very great.
1863. Geo. Eliot, Romola, I. xx. A room … in the utmost contrast with the … half-sombre tints of the library.
4. That which on comparison with another thing shows a striking difference from it; a person or thing of most opposite qualities.
1764. Hay, Deformity, 3 (T.). To make these appear a contrast to my subject.
1788. Mad. D’Arblay, Diary, IV. 302. What a contrast from such an intention was the event.
1796. H. Hunter, trans. St.-Pierre’s Stud. Nat. (1799), I. 575. An object has but one contrary, but it may have many contrasts. White is the contrary of black; but it contrasts with blue, green, red, and various other colours.
1828. D’Israeli, Chas. I., I. iv. 69. Buckingham offered a provoking contrast to his master.
1833. Sir C. Bell, Hand, 190. Pain is the necessary contrast to pleasure.
