Contrast
/ˈkɒn.trɑːst/noun
A striking difference between two things, especially in color, appearance, or meaning.
Did you know?“Contrast” entered English through French from Latin roots meaning “to stand against,” and that same ancient root also gave us words like “protest” and “obstacle.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*sta-
“to stand”
Latin
Latin
contra-
“against, opposite”
Latin
Latin
contra stare
“to stand against”
Old French
Old French
contraste
“opposition, contrast”
Late Middle English
English
contrast
“opposition, difference, comparison”
Modern English
English
contrast
“a marked difference between things”