contrivance

(noun) a device or control that is very useful for a particular job. Synonyms: appliance, contraption, convenience, gadget, gizmo, gismo, widget.

(noun) the faculty of contriving; inventive skill. Example: "His skillful contrivance of answers to every problem."

(noun) an elaborate or deceitful scheme contrived to deceive or evade. Synonyms: stratagem, dodge. Example: "His testimony was just a contrivance to throw us off the track."

(noun) an artificial or unnatural or obviously contrived arrangement of details or parts etc.. Example: "The plot contained too many improbable contrivances to be believable."

(noun) any improvised arrangement for temporary use. Synonyms: lash-up.

(noun) the act of devising something. Synonyms: devisal.