set off by contrast; foil
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to set off by contrast; to serve as a foil; to highlight by opposite comparison
formalA rhetorical device in literature and art where contrasting elements are used to emphasize each other. Often used in descriptions involving good vs. evil, beauty vs. ugliness, or heroism vs. cowardice.
Duì对
yīng英
xióng雄
de的
zàn赞
měi美
jiù就
fǎn反
chèn衬
zhe着
duì对
nuò懦
fū夫
de的
cháo嘲
fěng讽
。
The praise for heroes serves as a contrast to the mockery of cowards.
Zuò作
zhě者
yòng用
chéng城
shì市
de的
fán繁
huá华
fǎn反
chèn衬
zhǔ主
rén人
gōng公
nèi内
xīn心
de的
gū孤
dú独
。
The author uses the prosperity of the city to set off the protagonist's inner loneliness.
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Bái白
xuě雪
fǎn反
chèn衬
zhe着
hóng红
méi梅
，
xiǎn显
de得
gé格
wài外
xiān鲜
yàn艳
。
The white snow contrasts with the red plum blossoms, making them appear especially vivid.