n.
Function: verb
1 to become affected by a disease or disorder FF1C; contracted a severe cold that later turned into pneumonia FF1E;
Synonyms: catch, come down (with), get, sicken (with or of), take
Related Words: 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 FF1C; contract a muscle FF1E;
Synonyms: compress, concentrate, condense, constrict, shrink
Related Words: decrease, diminish, dwindle, lessen, reduce
Contrasted Words: dilate, distend, inflate, swell
Antonyms: expand