contractˈile adjective

Tending or having power to contract or to draw in

contractilˈity /kon-/ noun

contracˈtion /kən-/ noun

1. The act of contracting
2. A decrease in length, size or volume
3. A word shortened in speech or spelling
4. A symbol for shortening or a shortened form of (part of) a word (palaeography)
5. A tightening of the muscles or muscle fibres, esp one of the regular spasms of the uterine muscles or fibres involved in the process of giving birth

contracˈtional or contracˈtionary adjective

Having the effect of contracting

contractˈive adjective

Tending to contract

contractˈor noun

1. A person who, or company that, engages to execute work or provide supplies at a stated rate
2. One of the parties to a bargain or agreement
3. Something that contracts, esp a muscle

contractˈūal adjective

contracˈtually adverb

contracˈtural adjective

1. Relating to contracture (medicine)
2. Contractual (non-standard)

contractˈure noun

1. Persistent muscular contraction
2. A deformity or shortening of a part of the body due to shrinkage of the tissue in the muscles, skin, etc
3. Tapering of a column (architecture)

contract bridge noun

The standard modern form of the game of bridge, developed from auction bridge, in which only tricks that are bid for count towards winning a game

contract in

To agree to participate on certain conditions

contract out

1. To decide not to participate in a pension scheme, etc
2. To withdraw from an obligation, agreement, etc
3. To arrange that certain conditions shall not apply
4. To offer (work previously carried out by in-house staff, in a school, hospital, etc) to private contractors