■ noun 'kɒntrakt
1》 a written or spoken agreement intended to be enforceable by law.
2》 informal an arrangement for someone to be killed by a hired assassin.
3》 Bridge the declarer's undertaking to win the number of tricks bid with a stated suit as trumps.
■ verb kən'trakt
1》 decrease in size, number, or range.
↘(of a muscle) become shorter and tighter in order to effect movement of part of the body.
↘shorten (a word or phrase) by combination or elision.
2》 enter into a formal and legally binding agreement.
↘( ~ in/into ) Brit. choose to be involved in.
↘( ~ out ) Brit. choose to withdraw from or not become involved in.
↘( ~ something out ) arrange for work to be done by another organization.
3》 catch or develop (a disease).
4》 become liable to pay (a debt).
Derivatives
~ee noun
~ive adjective
Origin
ME: via OFr. from L. ~us , from ~- , contrahere 'draw together, tighten'.