Contrast contrast (kn-trst, kntrst)v. contrasted, contrasting, contrasts v.tr.To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences: an essay that contrasts city and country life; contrasted this computer with inferior models. v.intr.1. To show differences when compared: siblings who contrast sharply in interests and abilities; a color that contrasted clearly with the dark background. 2. Linguistics To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning: Voiced and voiceless stops contrast in English but not in Cree. n. (kntrst)1.a. The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects. b. The state of being contrasted: red berries standing in vivid contrast against the snow. 2. A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared: the contrast between Northern and Southern speech patterns. 3. One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another: My new school was a welcome contrast to the one before. 4. The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art. 5. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image. 6. Linguistics A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning. Dictionary Definition of Contrast (in the context of vision) Contrast is the difference in luminance and/or color that makes an object (or its representation in an image or display) distinguishable. In visual perception of the real world, contrast is determined by the difference in the color and brightness of the object and other objects within the same field of view. Because the human visual system is more sensitive to contrast than absolute luminance, we can perceive the world similarly regardless of the huge changes in illumination over the day or from place to place. The maximum contrast of an image is the contrast ratio or dynamic range.luminancecolorvisual perceptioncolorbrightnessfield of viewluminancecontrast ratiodynamic range Contrast is also the difference between the colour or shading of the printed material on a document and the background on which it is printed, for example in optical character recognition.optical character recognition What a distressing contrast there is between the radiant intelligence of the child and the feeble mentality of the average adult. Sigmund Freud There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast. Charles Dickens I try to contrast; life today is full of contrast... We have to change. Gianni Versace In Florence, classical buildings sit against medieval buildings. It's that contrast we like. Richard Rogers A Literary Definition of Contrast Contrast is the antonym of simile. In poetic compositions, it is common for poets to set out an elaborate contrast or elaborate simile as the argument. For example, John Donne and the metaphysical poets developed the conceit as a literary device, where an elaborate, implausible, and surprising analogy was demonstrated.simileJohn Donnemetaphysical poetsconceit In Renaissance poetry, and particularly in sonnets, the contrast was similarly used as a poetic argument. In such verse, the entire poem argues that two seemingly alike or identical items are, in fact, quite separate and paradoxically different. These may take the form of my love is unlike all other women or I am unlike her other loves.Renaissancesonnets