All 15 Uses of
contrived
in
The Odyssey, by Homer - (translated by: Cowper)
- Yet come—in full assembly his return Contrive we now, both means and prosp'rous end; So Neptune shall his wrath remit, whose pow'r In contest with the force of all the Gods Exerted single, can but strive in vain.†
Book 1contrive = arrange
- He shall not, henceforth, live an exile long From his own shores, no, not although in bands Of iron held, but will ere long contrive His own return; for in expedients, framed With wond'rous ingenuity, he abounds.†
Book 1
- Three years by such contrivance she deceived 140 The Greecians; but when (three whole years elaps'd) The fourth arriv'd, then, conscious of the fraud, A damsel of her train told all the truth, And her we found rav'ling the beauteous work.†
Book 2contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- There, never in opinion, or in voice Illustrious Ulysses and myself Divided were, but, one in heart, contrived 160 As best we might, the benefit of all.†
Book 3 *contrived = unnatural or arranged
- Ye have yourselves doubtless, although remote, Of Agamemnon heard, how he return'd, And how AEgisthus cruelly contrived For him a bloody welcome, but himself Hath with his own life paid the murth'rous deed.†
Book 3
- By what means contrived AEgisthus to inflict the fatal blow, Slaying so much a nobler than himself?†
Book 3
- Meantime the Goddess from the bosom wide 530 Of Ocean rising, brought us thence four skins Of phocae, and all newly stript, a snare Contriving subtle to deceive her Sire.†
Book 4contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- But haste ye,—bid my antient servant come, Dolion, whom (when I left my father's house He gave me, and whose office is to attend My num'rous garden-plants) that he may seek 890 At once Laertes, and may tell him all, Who may contrive some remedy, perchance, Or fit expedient, and shall come abroad To weep before the men who wish to slay Even the prince, godlike Ulysses' son.†
Book 4contrive = arrange
- The sun, a witness of their amorous sport, Bore swift the tale to Vulcan; he, apprized Of that foul deed, at once his smithy sought, In secret darkness of his inmost soul Contriving vengeance; to the stock he heav'd His anvil huge, on which he forged a snare Of bands indissoluble, by no art To be untied, durance for ever firm.†
Book 8contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- No councils they convene, no laws contrive, But in deep caverns dwell, found on the heads Of lofty mountains, judging each supreme 130 His wife and children, heedless of the rest.†
Book 9contrive = arrange
- So that the thing breathes not, ruthless and fell As woman once resolv'd on such a deed 520 Detestable, as my base wife contrived, The murther of the husband of her youth.†
Book 11contrived = unnatural or arranged
- no man, henceforth, of you all Accost me, though he meet me on the road, Or at yon fountain; lest some tattler run With tidings home to my old master's ear, Who, with suspicion touch'd, may me confine In cruel bonds, and death contrive for you.†
Book 15contrive = arrange
- They went, but left the noble Chief behind In his own house, contriving by the aid Of Pallas, the destruction of them all, And thus, in accents wing'd, again he said.†
Book 19contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- Ye noble suitors hear, who rudely haunt 80 This palace of a Chief long absent hence, Whose substance ye have now long time consumed, Nor palliative have yet contrived, or could, Save your ambition to make me a bride— Attend this game to which I call you forth.†
Book 21contrived = unnatural or arranged
- 170 Either some woman of our train contrives Hard battle for us, furnishing with arms The suitors, or Melanthius arms them all.†
Book 22contrives = arranges -- especially in an unnatural way
Definition:
unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)