contractionn.
/kənˈtrakʃən/ I. Related to contract v. I., II.
1. † b. = contractation n. Obsolete.† c. The action of contracting for (work, or goods to be supplied). Obsolete.
a. The action of contracting or of establishing by contract; spec. the action of contracting marriage; †also, betrothal (obsolete).
ΘΚΠ
society > law > legal obligation > contract > [noun] > action of contracting
indenting1488
contracting1585
contraction1598
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > betrothal > [noun]
truthc1300
betrothingc1315
truthingc1350
espousala1393
troth-plighta1393
desponsationa1400
troth-plightingc1400
ensurance1469
fiançailles1477
handfasting1483
assurancea1513
assuring1530
suring1530
contract1551
insurancea1556
trothing1565
despousage1570
betrothment1585
contracting1585
affiancing1596
spousage1596
espousage1599
handfasta1616
desponsories1645
hand-fastening1662
disposories1668
contraction1702
engagement1811
plightage1819
betrothal1844
heart-bond1887
introduction1965
kwanjula1973
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > action or fact of marrying > [noun]
eeOE
weddingc1000
wivingOE
contractc1315
marriagec1325
matrimony1357
unionc1475
maritagec1478
briding1566
espousal1566
match1574
intermarriage1579
despousing1609
espousement1623
nuptial1630
coupling1641
splice1830
intermarrying1843
contraction1885
yokemating1891
1598 R. Hakluyt Princ. Navigations (new ed.) I. 180 The mutuall contraction of a perpetuall league and confirmation of friendship.
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet iii. iv. 45 O such a deede, As from the body of contraction plucks The very soule. View more context for this quotation
1630 tr. G. Botero Relations Famous Kingdomes World (rev. ed.) 577 Contraction of peace and friendship.
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi iv. ii. iii. 155/1 After his Contraction..unto the virtuous daughter of Mr. Wilson..he was married unto that Gentlewoman.
1885 Notes & Queries 28 Nov. 433 The second marriage..was probably in 1384, though the pardon for its (unlicensed) contraction is not dated until February 18, 1389.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > [noun]
mongingOE
cheapinga1000
cheapOE
chaffer?c1225
merchandisea1300
market-making1340
merchandyc1350
corseriec1380
chafferinga1382
need-doinga1382
changea1387
chapmanhoodc1386
cossery?a1400
bargaining1401
merchandisinga1425
merchandrya1450
intercourse1473
business1478
chapmanry1483
the feat of merchandisec1503
market1525
trade1549
marting1553
contractation1555
trading1556
merchantryc1560
marketing1561
mart1562
trafficking1570
contraction1582
tract1582
nundination1586
commerce1587
chafferya1599
negotiation1601
intertraffica1603
traffic1603
commercery1604
intertrading1606
correspondence1607
mercature1611
correspondency1613
coss?1635
negotiating1640
dealing1691
chapmanship1727
merchanting1883
intertrade1915
1582 N. Lichefield tr. F. L. de Castanheda 1st Bk. Hist. Discouerie E. Indias 69 a The house appointed for the contraction of the Indias.
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 74 During the which time, the marchants do leaue their contractions and trafickes.
ΘΚΠ
society > trade and finance > [noun] > an act of trading
market1521
traffic1556
contraction1583
transact1659
trade1697
deal1837
society > occupation and work > business affairs > [noun] > agreement for supply of goods, etc. > action of
contraction1583
1583 T. Nicols Pleasant Descr. Ilands of Canaria sig. Ciijv The citie of Palma, where is great contraction for wines, which are laden for the West India & other places.
1691 T. Hale Acct. New Inventions 86 Interested in the Manufacture of Mill'd-Lead, and Contraction for the same with the Officers of the Navy.
2. The action of contracting or incurring (a debt).
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > responsibility > [noun] > fact of being responsible, answerable, or liable > incurring a liability
incursion1610
contraction1825
incurrence1831
1825 J. R. McCulloch Princ. Polit. Econ. iii. viii. 386 Her subsequent contests..having led to the contraction of an immense public debt.
1884 Earl Selborne in Law Times Rep. 8 Mar. 42/2 Anterior to the contraction of the..debt.
3. The action of contracting, acquiring, or becoming infected with (a disease, habit, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > contracting a quality or habit
contractation1603
contraction1683
1683 T. Tryon Way to Health 72 The Root of all or most Diseases is, first, some inward Contraction of matter, caused by Superfluity.
II. Related to contract v. III.† 4. The action of drawing together or collecting (transitive and intransitive). Obsolete. rare.† 7. † b. quasi-concrete. A reduction, an epitome.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > motion in a certain direction > movement towards a thing, person, or position > [noun] > towards each other or convergence
concourse1398
recountera1470
congress1578
concurrency1597
flocking1604
confluence1606
contraction1610
congression1611
closing1625
conflux1655
coition1656
concurrencea1661
convolation1676
concursion1692
convergence1713
convergency1794
1610 J. Healey tr. St. Augustine Citie of God xiii. xxiv. 493 As wee men..of the ayre about vs, can make a contraction into our selues, and giue it out againe in a breath.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §714 Tears are caused by a Contraction of the Spirits of the Brain.
5. † c. = contracture n. 2. Obsolete.
a. The action or process of contracting (transitive and intransitive), or state of being contracted; decrease in length, breadth, extent, or volume; shrinking, shortening, narrowing. (The most usual sense.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > decrease or reduction in quantity, amount, or degree > [noun]
waningc900
littlingOE
lessingc1350
abating1370
diminutionc1374
minishinga1382
decrease1383
remissiona1398
shrinkinga1398
decreasing1398
adminishing?c1400
abbreviation?a1425
lessening?a1425
minoration?a1425
disincrease1430
abatement1433
restrictiona1450
batea1475
diminuation1477
limitation1483
abate1486
minute1495
minishment1533
mitigation1533
diminishinga1535
extenuation1542
slacking1542
reduce1549
diminishment1551
perditionc1555
debatementa1563
rebatement1573
obstriction1578
imminution1583
contracting1585
contraction1589
rabate1589
rebating1598
retrenchmentc1600
decession1606
ravalling1609
reducement1619
decrement1621
bating1629
shrivellinga1631
decretion1635
dejection1652
abater1653
rolling back1658
limiting1677
batement1679
reduction1695
depression1793
downdraw1813
descent1832
decess1854
lowering1868
shrinkage1873
dégringolade1883
minification1894
degrowth1920
downrating1950
the world > space > extension in space > reduction in size or extent > [noun] > contraction
contraction1589
1589 T. Nashe To Students in R. Greene Menaphon Epist. sig. **4 To vaunt the pride of contraction in euerie manuarie action: in so much, that the Pater noster..is written in the compasse of a pennie.
1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye French Acad. II. 261 Feare..is also a contraction and closing vp of the heart.
1646 Sir T. Browne Pseudodoxia Epidemica 372 The act of laughter which is a sweet contraction of the muscles of the face.
1665 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 1 49 Measuring the Quantity of the Expansion and Contraction of Liquors by Cold.
1707 tr. P. Le Lorrain de Vallemont Curiosities in Husbandry & Gardening 89 This Contraction of the Sensitive-Plant.
1749 T. Smollett Regicide i. vii. 13 The stern Contraction of thy sullen Brow.
1877 M. Foster Text Bk. Physiol. ii. ii. 224 The ribs are raised by the contraction of certain muscles.
b. Pathology. ‘A term for the shortening of a muscle from some morbid cause; also, a morbid shortening of any structure whether accompanied or not by alteration of tissue’ ( New Sydenham Soc. Lexicon).
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > diseases of tissue > disorders affecting muscles > [noun] > shortening
contraction1871
1871 T. Holmes Syst. Surg. (ed. 2) V. 589 Useful in cases of contraction of the elbow in children.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > architecture > column > [noun] > shaft of column > narrowing towards top
diminishing1563
contraction1624
contracture1664
diminution1706
1624 H. Wotton Elements Archit. in Reliquiæ Wottonianæ (1672) 23 The Contraction aloft shall be one fourth part of his thickness below.
6. figurative.
a. Restriction, limitation, confinement; diminution of amount, extent, or scope.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > restraint or restraining > restriction or limitation > [noun]
limiting1391
moderation1429
bridlingc1443
limitation1483
confine1548
restriction1554
limit1572
prescription1604
bounding1607
circumscriptiona1616
stricture1649
stinting1656
circumscribing1660
contractiona1670
confinement1678
contracting1692
handcuff1814
the world > relative properties > kind or sort > individual character or quality > quality of being special or restricted in application > quality of being restricted or limited > [noun] > restriction or limitation
definitionc1386
limiting1391
moderation1429
limitation1483
restriction1554
restraint1566
limit1572
stint1593
prescription1604
stintance1605
bounding1607
confining1608
confine1609
circumscriptiona1616
definement1643
stricture1649
stinting1656
circumscribing1660
contractiona1670
confinement1678
contracting1692
narrowing1871
a1670 G. Rust Disc. Truth (1682) 189 It is no bondage, slavery or contraction, to be bound up to the eternal Laws of Right and Justice.
1778 S. Johnson Let. 3 July (1992) III. 118 He..talks of making more contractions of his expence.
1848 J. S. Mill Princ. Polit. Econ. iii. xiii. §3 The contraction of credit, characteristic of a commercial crisis.
b. Narrowness (of mind).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > belief > expressed belief, opinion > bias, prejudice > narrow-mindedness > [noun]
narrow-mindedness1646
parvanimitya1691
narrowness1697
narrow-spiritedness1709
little-mindedness1767
narrow-mindeda1774
contraction1775
illiberality1775
smallness1813
illiberalism1839
narrow-heartedness1850
single-track mind1919
tunnel vision1949
1775 F. Burney Early Jrnls. & Lett. (1990) II. 170 Perfectly free from any Narrowness or contraction.
1865 J. B. Mozley 8 Lect. Miracles viii. 175 Their standard is wholly free from contraction.
a. Abbreviation (of a writing, etc.), abridgement; condensation, conciseness. Obsolete or archaic.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > conciseness > [noun] > compressed quality > compression
contraction1655
condensation1798
compression1820
compressure1833
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun] > summarizing or abridging
bridginga1425
breviation1509
abbreviating1548
abridgement1579
contracting1585
curtailing1586
contraction1655
condensation1798
curtailment1799
epitomization1805
summarizing1808
entailment1822
boiling1898
predigestion1904
1655 M. Carter Anal. Honor in Honor Rediv. 1 In the next place I shall with as great a contraction lay down, etc.
1670 T. Blount Νομο-λεξικον: Law-dict. Pref. I have..made use of Cowel, Lambert, etc...yet seldom without Corrections, Contractions or Additions.
1715 A. Pope in tr. Homer Iliad I. Pref. sig. G2v In the main Parts of the Poem..no Translator can prejudice it [sc. the chief characteristic of the original] but by wilful Omissions or Contractions.
1869 A. C. Swinburne in Fortn. Rev. May 559 Shelley never in his life wrote a poem of that exquisite contraction and completeness.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > non-fiction > summary or epitome > [noun]
abbreviationa1464
summary1509
breve1523
bridgement1523
abbreviate1531
summulary1533
breviary1547
extract1549
digest1555
brief1563
promptuary1577
abbreviature1578
institute1578
breviation1580
breviate1581
compendiary1589
symbol1594
ramass1596
compendium1608
abridgement1609
digestment1610
digestion1613
epitome1623
abridge1634
comprisal1640
comprisurea1641
syntome1641
medulla1644
multum in parvo1653
contracta1657
landscape1656
comprehension1659
sylloge1686
contraction1697
résumé1782
compend1796
sum-up1848
roundup1884
wrap-up1960
1697 W. Dampier New Voy. around World Pref. sig. A4v It is a Contraction of a larger Map which I took from several Stations in the Bay itself.
1721 J. Strype Eccl. Memorials I. l. 384 This is but a contraction of the King's mandate to the Archbishop.
8.
a. Grammar, Phonetics, etc. The action of contracting or shortening (a word, a syllable, etc.) by omitting or combining some elements, or, in writing, by substituting a single symbol for a number of letters.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > writing > manner of writing > [noun] > action of shortening word or syllable
contraction1706
the mind > language > linguistics > study of speech sound > speech sound > [noun] > unit of duration of speech sound > lengthening or shortening
lengthening1574
prolongation1589
protraction1671
contraction1706
correption1871
1706 Phillips's New World of Words (new ed.) (at cited word) A Contraction of Syllables.
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum Contraction, (in Grammar) the reduction of two vowels or syllables into one.
1793 T. Beddoes Observ. Nature Demonstrative Evid. 140 The universal tendency to contraction, is not less apparent in the Greek than in other languages.
1877 Blackie's Pop. Encycl. I. 4/2 Carrying abbreviation and conventional contraction to such an excess as to make their writings unintelligible to all but the initiated.
b. Prosody. The substitution of a long syllable for two short ones in Greek and Latin verse.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > literature > poetry > versification > rhythm > [noun] > quantity > substitution of long or short syllables
anaclasis1784
resolution1814
contraction1884
1884 F. De F. Allen Hadley's Greek Gram. (rev. ed.) §1080 An example of contraction is the substitution of a spondee for the dactyl in the dactylic hexameter.
c. concrete. A contracted or shortened form of a word, etc. in speech or writing; an abbreviation.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > linguistics > study of grammar > morphology > word-formation > [noun] > abbreviation or contraction > a contracted word
syncope1530
syncopation?1533
abbreviation1576
abbreviature1602
abridgement1612
contract1669
contraction1755
shrivel1873
suspension1896
stump word1922
clipping1933
1755 S. Johnson Dict. Eng. Lang. (at cited word) The writing is full of contractions.
1861 P. B. Du Chaillu Explor. Equatorial Afr. App. 527 The Mpongwe language..abounds in contractions and compounded words.
1867 W. W. Skeat Langland's Piers Plowman Pref. i. A. p. xvi All expansions of contractions [have been] marked by the use of italics.
Compounds
ΚΠ
1622 G. de Malynes Consuetudo 25 The small Quintall is the weight of the contraction House of the Indies.
1624 J. Smith Gen. Hist. Virginia iv. 149 Those of the Contraction house were neuer able to subsist by the Mines onely.
contraction joint n. a joint in a concrete structure to prevent cracking during setting; a joint in any structure or material to prevent damage as a result of thermal expansion and contraction.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > building or constructing > building or providing with specific parts > specific parts built or constructed > [noun] > joint > types of
gemew?a1400
match-joint1683
matched joint1688
joggle1703
water joint1810
pin-joint1835
shackle-joint1837
screw shackle1847
through-joint1851
joggling1858
leg joint1858
splice1875
bed-joint1876
butting joint1887
saddle joint1901
contraction joint1909
1909 F. W. Taylor & S. E. Thompson Treat. Concrete (ed. 2) xv. 286 Contraction in concrete walls is provided for by forming joints at intervals... As a rule only contraction joints need be provided, since expansion merely compresses the concrete.
1950 H. J. Gilkey in L. C. Urquhart Civil Engin. Handbk. (ed. 3) vii. 646 In pavement construction, contraction joints are commonly spaced between ‘expansion’ joints at about one-third the expansion-joint interval.
1958 J. S. Scott Dict. Civil Engin. 80 Contraction joint (C.E.) or shrinkage joint or expansion joint, a break in a structure usually made to allow for drying and temperature shrinkage of concrete or masonry and thus to prevent cracks forming at undesirable places.
contraction-rule n. a pattern-maker's rule made slightly longer than the standard one to allow for the contraction of the casting in cooling.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > measurement > measuring instrument > [noun] > for measuring length > graduated strip of wood, etc.
rule1340
ruler1530
measure1555
scale1607
foot-rule1662
two-foot rule1664
joint-rule1680
inch-rule1850
inch-measure1851
stationer's rule1866
contraction-rule1874
measure-strip1887
1874 E. H. Knight Amer. Mech. Dict. I. 612/2 Contraction-rule.
1887 P. N. Hasluck Pattern Maker's Handybk. i. 11 The adoption of a contraction-rule seems to dispose of the question of shrinkage [of castings] in the minds of most pattern makers.
Draft additions June 2018
a. Physiology. The increase in tension, often accompanied by shortening in length, which occurs in a muscle or muscle fibre when it is stimulated; an instance of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > structural parts > muscle > [noun] > muscular tension
contraction1615
tonicity1824
myonicity1866
tonus1876
inotropism1902
ionotropy1976
stiffness1978
1615 H. Crooke Μικροκοσμογραϕια 741 Contraction is the proper and ingenit action of the Muscle.
1649 J. Bulwer Pathomyotomia 106 For, Laughter is a motion arising chiefly out of the Contraction of the Muscles of the Lips.
1725 T. Morgan Philos. Princ. Med. ii. iv. 137 By which the Muscle so impress'd is brought into a strong and forcible Contraction, against the contrary much weaker, and merely mechanical Force of its antagonistick Muscle.
1795 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 85 20 If the contraction is increased, it [sc. the muscle] will rotate the radius.
1826 Lancet 15 Apr. 80/1 Physiologists have described this aperture as being constantly closed in living animals, by contraction of the circular fibres of the pyloric muscles.
1877 M. Foster Text Bk. Physiol. i. ii. 70 Striation is characteristic of muscles whose contraction is rapid.
a1933 J. A. Thomson Biol. for Everyman (1934) II. 1293 The muscle-fibres of the body are for the most part of the quickly contracting, cross-striped type, a common time for a single contraction being about one-tenth of a second.
1993 Horse & Rider Dec. 44/1 Air is drawn into the lungs by contraction of the intercostal muscle fibres in the diaphragm and between the ribs.
2010 Ultra Fit Apr. 31/2 Muscles can shorten (a ‘concentric’ muscle contraction) and lengthen under tension (an ‘eccentric’ muscle contraction) or remain static (as one muscle group works against another—an ‘isometric’ contraction).
b. spec. Any of the rhythmic, forceful waves of increased tension occurring in the muscle of the uterus during childbirth and (to a lesser degree) in pregnancy and menstruation.Such contractions are the main source of the pain associated with childbirth.See also Braxton Hicks n.
ΚΠ
1808 Philadelphia Med. & Physical Jrnl. 3 105 These alternate contractions and relaxations..constitute the real throes or pains of labour.
1848 W. Channing Treat. Etherization in Childbirth 246 Contractions became not only very strong, but soon were almost continuous.
1887 A. B. Stockham Tokology (rev. ed.) 180 For expelling the placenta contractions can be induced by..manipulating the abdomen after dipping the hands in cold water.
1922 Boston Med. & Surg. Jrnl. 13 Apr. 502/2 The patient was still having contractions, but the cervix had not dilated.
1991 L. MacDonald in L. Collins et al. Comfort & Joy 184 Between contractions which were barely three minutes apart and very strong they spoke briefly, while Elizabeth rubbed her back and helped administer gas and air.
2007 Fourth Genre 9 62 The next contraction pushed the baby onto the table.
2014 R. E. Jones & K. H. Lopez Human Reprod. Biol. (ed. 4) iii. 63/2 It is common for muscle contraction to be painful and take the form of cramps when blood supply to that muscle is low, such as in the uterus during menstrual contractions.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1893; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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