n. & v.
n. 1 a written or spoken agreement between two or more parties, intended to be enforceable by law. 2 a document recording this. 3 marriage regarded as a binding commitment. 4 Bridge etc. an undertaking to win the number of tricks bid.
v. 1 tr. & intr. make or become smaller. 2 a intr. (usu. foll. by with) make a contract. b intr. (usu. foll. by for, or to + infin.) enter formally into a business or legal arrangement. c tr. (often foll. by out) arrange (work) to be done by contract. 3 tr. catch or develop (a disease). 4 tr. form or develop (a friendship, habit, etc.). 5 tr. enter into (marriage). 6 tr. incur (a debt etc.). 7 tr. shorten (a word) by combination or elision. 8 tr. draw (one's muscles, brow, etc.) together. contract bridge the most common form of bridge, in which only tricks bid and won count towards the game. contract in (or out) (also refl.) Brit. choose to be involved in (or withdraw or remain out of) a scheme or commitment. contractive adj.
[ earlier as adj., = contracted: OF, f. L contractus (as COM-, trahere tract- draw) ]