Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / November 13, 2021
By Florencia Ucha, in May. 2013
The word to contrast is widely used in our language and we use it to account for different issues, while the most recurrent use of the word is to indicate the comparison between things, situations, people, among others, that is, we use the term as a synonym for the concept of comparing.
Comparison between things and people from which similarities or differences can be obtained
When you proceed to compare two things with each other and then they show important differences, either in its conditions and characteristics, or in some aspect, it is frequent to speak in terms of to contrast.
“The beauty of his latest work contrasts with the rest of his creations.”
It should be noted that it is also contrasted to find similarities between things or people.
A way of knowing things
Comparison is a recurring action that we human beings carry out, especially when we are evaluating different options when making a decision for something, always, even unconsciously people are comparing things, for example, we say that it is a typically human action and very present in our day to day.
We can precisely say that comparison, the action of contrasting, is a way that we have beings to understand and know the realization and also to be able to choose what best suits us in a given context.
Because when we are presented with something that we do not know, it is normal that we tend to relate it to something we know and in this way we carry out an intellectual exercise of comparison.
Consists of the observation of two or more elements or issues and establish differences and similarities from it.
So, in everyday life, in the studio, in the communication and in the development of various professional activities, the action of contrasting is used, normally, to better understand an aspect of the reality that is being addressed.
Meanwhile, the result of contrasting is popularly known as contrast, like this, to the opposition between things, individuals, words, among others, we designate it as contrast: “there is a strong contrast between the proposals of the presidential candidates, so the election will be polarized.”
Difference in intensity between the point of an image and the surroundings
Regarding images, the word contrast enjoys a special use since through it it designates that difference in intensity that exists between precisely the point of an image and its surroundings.
In other words, if there is no contrast in the image, it will be impossible to distinguish between the background and the image, while if it is pronounced, we can distinguish both.
Check the authenticity of something
On the other hand, contrasting may involve the action of check the authenticity that arranges something, for example an object, a document, among other alternatives.
In some situations it is de rigueur to have to decide the authenticity or validity of an item or a document, for example, a jewel or a general power of attorney that one person gave to another, then, it will be necessary to determine these conditions to resort to certain components or specialists thereof that allow us assert it.
Thus, in the case of a jewel, it should be examined by an expert who can determine if its components are authentic and it is not a replica, because of course, if it is not authentic its value will be much less than in the case that it is be.
On the other hand, when a person acts on behalf of another in a procedure through an extended power of attorney, it will need to be initialed by a professional authorized, as a notary, to be valid and can be presented.
“After contrasting both pieces we have discovered that the watch that Mario brought us is false.”
And at the behest of alloys, the word contrast is used to denote that habitual action that consists of checking the proportion noble materials that exist in an object.
“I need an expert to contrast the old coins that I have saved.”
In this context, the word contrast is used to refer to the brand that guarantees the metal noble after the contrast.
So, as we indicated above, the most popular synonym for this concept is that of compare while the one who opposes is that of coincide, which precisely refers to the adjustment, the concordance that exists between one thing and another.
Themes in Contrast