n. & v.
--n.
1. the state or condition of touching, meeting, or communicating.
2 a person who is or may be communicated with for information, supplies, assistance, etc.
3 Electr. a a connection for the passage of a current. b a device for providing this.
4 a person likely to carry a contagious disease through being associated with an infected person.
5 (usu. in pl.) colloq. a contact lens.
--v.tr.
1. get into communication with (a person).
2 begin correspondence or personal dealings with.
Phrases and idioms:
contact lens a small lens placed directly on the eyeball to correct the vision. contact print a photographic print made by placing a negative directly on sensitized paper etc. and illuminating it. contact sport a sport in which participants necessarily come into bodily contact with one another.
Derivatives:
contactable adj.
Etymology: L contactus f. contingere (as com-, tangere touch)