contrast

Everyday

1. noun A clear difference between two things when you put them side by side. tree →
2. verb To compare two things to show how they are different. tree →
3. verb To be very different from something: «Her red coat contrasted with the white snow». tree →
4. (art, screens) The difference between light and dark parts of a picture. tree →

In the lessons

In English lessons «compare and contrast» means write about how things are alike and how they differ. Words like «however», «but» and «whereas» are words of contrast. In art and on screens «contrast» is how much light and dark stand apart. Phrases: «in contrast», «by contrast», «compare and contrast», «a sharp contrast».

Examples

• There's a big contrast between the hot day and the cold night. tree →
• Compare and contrast life in a city and in the countryside. tree →
• In contrast to his brother, Ben is very quiet. tree →
• The black letters contrast well with the yellow paper. tree →
• Turn up the contrast so the picture is clearer. tree →
• «However» is a word that shows contrast. tree →
• The obscurity of the Celtic tale forms a striking contrast to the lucidity of the Slavonic. tree →

Note

Stress changes: noun CON-trast, verb con-TRAST. Use «with»: contrast X with Y. «In contrast» and «by contrast» are both correct.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: In Sefer Yetzirah the double letters are said to show opposites like life and death, peace and war, wisdom and folly. In the primary lessons: In English lessons «compare and contrast» means write about how things are alike and how they differ. Words like «however», «but» and «whereas» are words of contrast. In art and on screens «contrast» is how much light and dark stand apart. Phrases: «in contrast», «by contrast», «compare and contrast», «a sharp contrast».

Examples

• Pistorius gave " scriptis, numeratis, pronunciatis." Postellus gave " Numerans, numerus, numeratus," thus losing the contrasted meanings ; and so did Rittangelius, who gave " Numero, numerante, numerate." (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• They are called Double, because each letter presents a contrast or permutation; thus Life and Death; Peace and War (Evil); Wisdom and Folly; Riches and Poverty; Grace and Indignation; Fertility and Solitude (Desolation); Power and Servitude. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) tree →
• He failed, however, to see that by way of contrast riTnr must necessarily mean consonants. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Stress changes: noun CON-trast, verb con-TRAST. Use «with»: contrast X with Y. «In contrast» and «by contrast» are both correct.