contrivance

noun

1. 1

   the act of devising something

2. 2

   a device or control that is very useful for a particular job

3. 3

   any improvised arrangement for temporary use

4. 4

   the faculty of contriving; inventive skill

   his skillful contrivance of answers to every problem

5. 5

   an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.

   the plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable

6. 6

   an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade

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