I. noun
a usually legally enforceable arrangement between two or more parties
a contract for a new roof
Synonyms: agreement, bargain, bond, compact, convention, covenant, pact, transaction; compare agreement 2, treaty
II. verb
1.
to become affected by a disease or disorder
contracted a severe cold that later turned into pneumonia
Synonyms: catch, come down (with), get, sicken (with or of), take
Related Word: acquire, obtain; decline, fail, sink, weaken; afflict, derange, disorder, indispose, upset; bring on, cause, induce; succumb (to)
Idioms: be laid by the heels by, fall (a) victim to
2.
Synonyms: incur
3.
to make or become smaller in bulk or volume
contract a muscle
Synonyms: compress, concentrate, condense, constrict, shrink
Related Word: decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, reduce
Contrasted words: dilate, distend, inflate, swell
Antonyms: expand