Contraction
WordNet
noun
(1) The act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
(2) (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
(3) A word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds
"`won't' is a contraction of `will not'"
"`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'"
(4) The process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
"The contraction of a gas on cooling"
WiktionaryText
Noun
- A reversible reduction in size.
- A period of economic decline or negative growth.
- The country's economic contraction was caused by high oil prices.
- A shortening of a muscle when it is used.
- A strong and often painful shortening of the uterine muscles prior to or during childbirth.
- A shortened word or phrase, with the missing letters represented by an apostrophe.
- "Don't" is a contraction of "do not."
- The American 23rd Infantry Division is still unofficially named Americal, the name being a contraction of "America" and "New Caledonia".
- Contracting a disease.
- The contraction of AIDS from toilet seats is extremely rare.
- Syncope, the loss of sounds from within a word.
- The acquisition of something, generally negative.
- Our contraction of debt in this quarter has reduced our ability to attract investors.
- A distinct stage of wound healing, wherein the wound edges are gradually pulled together.