n.
Pronunciation: ' kän- ˌ trakt
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contractus, from contrahere to draw together, make a contract, reduce in size, from com- + trahere to draw
Date: 14th century
1 a : a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties especially : one legally enforceable b : a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price <make parts on contract > c : the act of marriage or an agreement to marry
2 : a document describing the terms of a contract
3 : the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge
4 : an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone <his enemies put out a contract on him>