Meaning of Contemporary

Do you ever wonder what "contemporary" really means? Contemporary with what? Merriam-Webster Online says it means: 1: happening, existing, living, or coming into being during the same period of time 2: a: simultaneous b: marked by characteristics of the present period : modern, current. Well, seems somewhat clear, until you look at houses, or maybe furniture, or are reading something without context. You might think...this house looks like it may have been contemporary, meaning modern, about 30 years ago, maybe it means it is existing simultaneously with the houses next to it. If you want to see what contemporary furniture looks like - furniture that is both modern and exists at the same time as the furniture next to it, see Bush furniture. I wonder what furniture that does not exist at the same time as that which is next to it would be like. Talk about your creative writing exercises!