CONTRAST

n. Ko2n'tra t. Fr., contra ste. Ger., C., Kontrast, Gegensatz. A comparison of two or more things for the purpose of showing their difference, also the degree of difference so detected. Color-c., C. of colors. Fr., contra ste. des couleurs. Ger., C. der Farben. A modification of the visual impre ion that takes place when two or more objects of different color are viewed simultaneously or in quick succe ion, attributed to the fact that the action of the portion of the visual apparatus that takes cognizance of a particular color calls into action also an adjacent portion, producing the impre ion of another color, or produces in itself a state of fatigue that leads to the impre ion of the complementary color. [Chevreul (A, 301).] Mixed c. Fr., contra ste mixte. That form of c. of colors in which the retina, having received the impre ion of a certain color for a length of time, conveys the sense of the complementary color, or, on being directed to a new color, receives the mingled impre ion of that color and of the color complementary to the first. [Chevreul (A, 385).] Simultaneous c. Fr., contra ste simultane. Ger., Simultan-C. A form of c. of colors in which, when two contiguous colors are looked at at the same time, the impre ions of the two colors are blended. [Chevreul (A, 385).] Succe ive c. Fr., contra ste succe if. Ger., succe i ver C. That form of c. of colors in which, when one or more colors have been looked at for a length of time, the retina preserves for the time being the impre ion of the complementary color or colors. [Chevreul (A, 385).] [s. 386]