All 4 Uses of

contrast

in

A Tale of Two Cities

He only seemed to contrast his present cheerfulness and felicity with the dire endurance that was over.
Chpt 2.17 *

contrast = point to differences between; or compare to show differences

The disposition of everything in the rooms, from the largest object to the least; the arrangement of colours, the elegant variety and contrast obtained by thrift in trifles, by delicate hands, clear eyes, and good sense; were at once so pleasant in themselves, and so expressive of their originator, that, as Mr. Lorry stood looking about him, the very chairs and tables seemed to ask him, with something of that peculiar expression which he knew so well by this time, whether he approved?†
Chpt 2.6

But, in the ocean of faces where every fierce and furious expression was in vivid life, there were two groups of faces—each seven in number —so fixedly contrasting with the rest, that never did sea roll which bore more memorable wrecks with it.†
Chpt 2.21

The gaoler standing at his side, and the other gaolers moving about, who would have been well enough as to appearance in the ordinary exercise of their functions, looked so extravagantly coarse contrasted with sorrowing mothers and blooming daughters who were there—with the apparitions of the coquette, the young beauty, and the mature woman delicately bred—that the inversion of all experience and likelihood which the scene of shadows presented, was heightened to its utmost.†
Chpt 3.1

Definitions:

(1) (contrast as in: contrast their writing styles)
point to differences between; or compare to show differences
(2) (contrast as in: there is a contrast)
a difference -- especially a notable difference; or the side-x-side arrangement of things that draws attention to an unmissable difference
(3) (contrast as in: sharpen the picture contrast)
the difference between tones of an image -- as in a photo or video -- such as the quality of brightness or the intensity of shades or colors
(4) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)