All 40 Uses of
contrived
in
The Swiss Family Robinson
- A wave instantly threw me down; another followed, and then another, as I contrived to find my footing.†
Chpt 1contrived = unnatural or arranged(editor's note: This book frequently uses the form contrivance to refer to something that is arranged. Today contrive is often used to indicate that something is arranged in an artificial way.)
- After a long silence, 'Father,' said he, 'don't you think we might contrive swimming-belts for mother and the boys?†
Chpt 1contrive = arrange
- However, we must contrive something, and first let each try to procure what will be of most use to us.'†
Chpt 1
- 'Do not be too sure of that, dear wife; when you see my contrivance completed, you will perhaps prefer it to this immovable wreck.'†
Chpt 1contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- But when we thought all was ready for the launch, we found, to our dismay, that the grand contrivance was so heavy and clumsy that even our united efforts could not move it an inch.†
Chpt 1
- But it was plain to me at once that something more was required to make her perfectly safe, so I contrived outriggers to preserve the balance, by nailing long poles across at the stem and stern, and fixing at the ends of each empty brandy cask.†
Chpt 1contrived = unnatural or arranged
- Two forked sticks were planted in the ground on either side of the fire, on these rested a rod from which hung several tempting-looking fish, opposite them hung a goose from a similar contrivance, slowly roasting while the gravy dropped into a large shell placed beneath it.†
Chpt 2contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- For example, should not our very first endeavour to be the contriving of a better sort of habitation and a more secure retreat from wild beasts, as well as a separate place for our provisions?†
Chpt 2contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- I then contrived a rudder, that I might be able to steer the boat; for though I knew that an oar would serve the purpose, it was cumbrous and inconvenient.†
Chpt 2contrived = unnatural or arranged
- We then rapidly caught the other animals and provided them one after the other with a similar contrivance.†
Chpt 2contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- 'However, when I saw how good-humouredly he persevered in the work with his awkward unskilful fingers, I took pity upon him, and conquering the disgust I felt, finished lining the skin dog-collars he had so ingeniously contrived.†
Chpt 3contrived = unnatural or arranged
- Why could not we contrive a place like that, where we could sleep safely at night?
Chpt 3 *contrive = arrange
- Now putting my idea to the proof, I brought the ass and the cow, and fastening this rope to the harness I had previously contrived for them, I drove them steadily away from the bank.†
Chpt 3contrived = unnatural or arranged
- And my wife gladly heard me say that if an abode could be contrived among the branches, it would be the safest and most charming home in the world.†
Chpt 3
- I employed myself in contriving needles for my wife's work, by boring holes at one end of the quills, which I did by means of a red hot nail, and I soon had a nice packet of various sizes, which pleased her immensely.†
Chpt 3contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- 'You are quite right,' I replied, 'but we must contrive to make it of use.†
Chpt 3contrive = arrange
- Franz came to beg me make a little bow and arrow for him to shoot with, while Fritz asked my advice about the tiger-cat skin and the cases he was to contrive from it.†
Chpt 4
- Ernest had rightly guessed the mistakes they would make, but practise was making them perfect, and they seemed disposed to continue their sport, when their mother, assuring them that she could not use more birds than those already killed, asked if I did not think some means of snaring them might be contrived, as much powder and shot would be expended if they fired on at this rate.†
Chpt 4contrived = unnatural or arranged
- Being anxious to remove some of our goods before night, the boys ran off to fetch the sledge; while I, having no anchor, contrived to moor the boats by means of some of the heavy blocks of iron we had brought.†
Chpt 5
- As my eyes became used to the dim light which entered the compartment through a chink or crevice here and there, I perceived how carefully every part of the pinnace was arranged and marked with numbers, so that if only I could bestow sufficient time on the work, and contrive space in which to execute it, I might reasonably hope for success.†
Chpt 6contrive = arrange
- 'I have planted potatoes, and cassava-roots, there is space for sugar-canes, and the young fruit trees, and I shall want you to contrive to irrigate them, by leading water from the cascades in hollow bamboos.†
Chpt 6
- 'Oh, father, what a splendid contrivance!†
Chpt 6contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- Ernest had discovered a sago-palm, and had, after much labour, contrived to fell it.†
Chpt 7contrived = unnatural or arranged
- To obviate this, my wife, who feared these continual wettings might injure our health, contrived waterproofs: she brushed on several layers of caoutchouc over stout shirts, to which she attached hoods; she then fixed to these duck trousers, and thus prepared for each of us a complete waterproof suit, clad in which we might brave the severest rain.†
Chpt 8
- The pinnace was safe, but our faithful tub-boat was dashed in pieces, and the irreparable damage we had sustained made me resolve to contrive some safer and more stable winter-quarters before the arrival of the next rainy season.†
Chpt 9contrive = arrange
- We did not intend to be again smoke-dried; we, therefore, contrived a properly built fireplace and chimney; our stable arrangements, too, were better, and plenty of space was left in our workshop that we should not be hampered in even the most extensive operations.†
Chpt 9contrived = unnatural or arranged
- For our own convenience we retained a small winding path through this barrier, concealing and defending it with piles of branches and thorns, and also we contrived a light drawbridge over the stream, so that we rendered the pass altogether a very strong positron, should we ever have to act on the defensive.†
Chpt 9
- My contrivance was this: I had a couple of large air-tight bags, made of the skins of the dog-fish, well tarred and pitched, inflated, and made fast on each side of the boat, just above the level of the water.†
Chpt 9contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- The interior arrangements of the cavern being now well forward, I applied myself to contriving an aqueduct, that fresh water might be led close up to our cave, for it was a long way to go to fetch it from Jackal River, and especially inconvenient on washing days.†
Chpt 10contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- But in reality, the more there was to do the better; and I never ceased contriving fresh improvements, being fully aware of the importance of constant employment as a means of strengthening and maintaining the health of mind and body.†
Chpt 10
- The boys found it hard work to row back, and began to beg of me to exert my wonderful inventive powers in contriving some kind of rowing machine.†
Chpt 10
- Although this contrivance left much to be desired in the way of improvement, still when Fritz and I wound up the machinery, and went off on a trial trip across the bay, we splashed along at such a famous rate, that the shores rang with the cheers and clapping of the whole family, delighted to behold what they considered my brilliant success.†
Chpt 11contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- We took great pains to coil it round a pole in the museum, arranging the head with the jaws wide open, so as to look as alarming as possible, and contriving to make eyes and tongue which were quite sufficient to represent nature; in fact, our dogs never passed the monster without growling, and must have wondered at our taste in keeping such a pet.†
Chpt 11contriving = arranging -- especially in an unnatural way
- Then she had contrived a drinking-trough for the cattle out of a split bamboo.†
Chpt 12contrived = unnatural or arranged
- Over the eyes-holes I contrived square flaps or blinkers, which were so arranged with whalebone springs that they closed tightly of themselves.†
Chpt 13
- I was justly proud of my contrivance, but, before I could really test its utility, I was obliged to make a saddle.†
Chpt 13contrivance = a device created for a purpose OR something arranged (often seeming artificial)
- This curious-looking contrivance I placed upon the shoulders as near the neck as possible, and secured it with strong girths round the wings and across the breast, to avoid all possibility of the saddle slipping down the bird's sloping back.†
Chpt 13
- Fritz was unanimously voted her rightful owner, but before his mother would hear of his entering the frail-looking skiff she declared that she must contrive a swimming-dress, so that 'should his boat receive a puncture from a sharp rock or the dorsal fin of a fish and collapse, he might yet have a chance of saving his life'.†
Chpt 14contrive = arrange
- Miss Montrose called it off, and she then told me she had captured and tamed the bird soon after first landing, and since that time had contrived to train it to assist her in every conceivable way: it now not only was a pleasant companion, but brought her food of every description, fish, flesh and fowl, for whether it dived into the waters, according to its natural habit, struck down birds upon the wing, or seized rabbits and other small animals upon the land, it laid all its booty at her feet.†
Chpt 17contrived = unnatural or arranged
- 'Before darkness closed in, all the curiosities and ingenious contrivances of the place had been displayed the kitchen-stove, cooking utensils, skin bottles, shell plates and spoons, the fishing raft, and numberless other things—and then, sitting down with my fair hostess to a most appetizing meal, she gave me a short account of her life: 'Jenny* Montrose was the daughter of a British officer who had served for many years in India, where she herself was born.†
Chpt 17
Definition:
unnatural seeming (due to careful planning)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
or more rarely:
arranged (that something should happen)
(editor's note: This book frequently uses the form contrivance to refer to something that is arranged. Today contrive is often used to indicate that something is arranged in an artificial way.)