contraption

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

contraption
    n 1: a device or control that is very useful for a particular
         job [syn: {appliance}, {contraption}, {contrivance},
         {convenience}, {gadget}, {gizmo}, {gismo}, {widget}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Contraption \Con*trap"tion\, n.
   A contrivance; a new-fangled device; -- used scornfully.
   [Colloq. or Dial.] -- {Con*trap"tious}, a.

         We all remember some of the extraordinary contraptions
         which have been thus evolved and put upon the market.
                                                  --F. M. Ware.
   [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

from Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

22 Moby Thesaurus words for "contraption":
      apparatus, contrivance, device, gadget, gimcrack, gimmick, gizmo,
      hand tool, implement, instrument, means, mechanical device,
      mechanism, power tool, precision tool, speed tool, thingumabob,
      thingumajig, thingummy, tool, utensil, widget

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