ˈkän.ˌtraktə(r), kən.ˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Late Latin, from Latin contractus (past participle of contrahere to contract + -or — more at contract
1.
a. : one that contracts : a party to a bargain : one that formally undertakes to do something for another
b. : one that performs work (as a printing job) or provides supplies on a large scale (as to troops) according to a contractual agreement at a price predetermined by his own calculations
c. : one who contracts on predetermined terms to provide labor and materials and to be responsible for the performance of a construction job in accordance with established specifications or plans — called also building contractor
2. : something (as a muscle) that contracts or shortens