Contraction

Contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length . . . .

R  E  F  E  R  E  N  C  E  S 

1 Contract n [ME, fr. L contractus, fr. contrahere to draw together, make a contract, reduce in size, fr. com- + trahere to draw] [14c] 1a: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties; esp: one legally enforceable b: a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price [make parts on __] 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

2 Contract vb [ME, fr. MF or L; MF contracter to agree upon, fr. L contractus] vt [14c] 1a: to bring on oneself esp. inadvertently: Incur [__ing debts] b: to become affected with [__ pneumonia] 2a: to establish or undertake by contract b: Betroth: also: to establish [a marriage] formally c [1]: to hire by contract [2]: to purchase [as goods or services] on a contract basis--often used with out 3a: Limit, Restrict b: Knit, Wrinkle [frown __ed his brow] c: to draw together: Concentrate 4: to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together 5: to shorten [as a word] by omitting one or more sonds or letters -vi 1: to make a contract 2: to draw together so as to become diminished in size [metal __s on cooling]; also: to become less in compass, duration, or length [muscle __s in tetanus] -syn. 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 loos of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions [the sweater will shrink when washed]. Condense implies a reducing of something homogenous 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 usu. against resistance [compressed cotton into bales]. Constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter [the throat is constricted by a tight collar]. Deflate implies a cotnracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gass [deflate the balloon]