1.the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared;
in contrast to, by contrast
2.the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
3.a conceptual separation or demarcation;
there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity
4.the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors
5.the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)
1.put in opposition to show or emphasize differences;
The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student
2.to show differences when compared; be different;
the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities