n. & v.
n. 1 the state or condition of touching, meeting, or communicating. 2 a person who is or may be communicated with for information, supplies, assistance, etc. 3 Electr. a a connection for the passage of a current. b a device for providing this. 4 a person likely to carry a contagious disease through being associated with an infected person. 5 (usu. in pl.) colloq. a contact lens.
v.tr. 1 get into communication with (a person). 2 begin correspondence or personal dealings with. contact lens a small lens placed directly on the eyeball to correct the vision. contact print a photographic print made by placing a negative directly on sensitized paper etc. and illuminating it. contact sport a sport in which participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another. contactable adj.
[ L contactus f. contingere (as com-, tangere touch) ]