CONTRACTION


Meaning of CONTRACTION in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ kən-ˈtrak-shən ]

noun

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted

b. : the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber

c. : a reduction in business activity or growth

2. : a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound or letter ; also : a form produced by such shortening

• con·trac·tion·al -shnəl, -shə-n ə l adjective

• con·trac·tive kən-ˈtrak-tiv, ˈkän-ˌ adjective

• con·trac·tion·ary kən-ˈtrak-shə-ˌner-ē adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.