n.
Pronunciation: vt 2a & vi 1 usu ' kän- ˌ trakt, others usu k ə n- '
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French contracter to agree upon, from Latin contractus
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to bring on oneself especially inadvertently : INCUR < contract ing debts> b : to become affected with < contract pneumonia>
2 a : to establish or undertake by contract < contract a job> b : BETROTH also : to establish (a marriage) formally c (1) : to hire by contract < contract a lawyer> (2) : to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis ― often used with out
3 a : LIMIT , RESTRICT < contract the scope of their activities> b : KNIT , WRINKLE <frown contract ed his brow> c : to draw together : CONCENTRATE
4 : to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together < contract a muscle>
5 : to shorten (as a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters
intransitive verb
1 : to make a contract
2 : to draw together so as to become diminished in size <metal contract s on cooling> also : to become less in compass, duration, or length <muscle contract s in tetanus>
– con · tract · ibil · i · ty \ k ə n- ˌ trak-t ə - ' bi-l ə -t ē , ˌ kän- \ noun
– con · tract · ible \ k ə n- ' trak-t ə -b ə l, ' kän- ˌ \ adjective
synonyms CONTRACT , SHRINK , CONDENSE , COMPRESS , CONSTRICT , DEFLATE mean to decrease in bulk or volume. CONTRACT applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length <caused her muscles to contract >. SHRINK implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions <the sweater will shrink when washed>. CONDENSE implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content < condense the essay into a paragraph>. COMPRESS implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance < compressed cotton into bales>. CONSTRICT implies a tightening that reduces diameter <the throat is constricted by a tight collar>. DEFLATE implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas < deflate the balloon>.