Contraction Definition
contraction
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English
Etymology
From Latin contractiō.
Pronunciation
- (UK) IPA: /ˈkɒn.tɹæk.ʃən/, SAMPA: /"kQn.tr{k.S@n/ (stressed); IPA: /kənˈtræk.ʃən/, SAMPA: /k@n"tr{k.S@n/ (unstressed)
- (US) IPA: /kənˈtɹæk.ʃən/, SAMPA: /k@n"tr{k.S@n/
- Rhymes: -ækʃən
Noun
contraction (plural contractions)
- A reversible reduction in size.
- (economics) A period of economic decline or negative growth.
- The country's economic contraction was caused by high oil prices.
- (biology) A shortening of a muscle when it is used.
- (medicine) A strong and often painful shortening of the uterine muscles prior to or during childbirth.
- (grammar) 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".
- (medicine) Contracting a disease.
- The contraction of AIDS from toilet seats is extremely rare.
- (phonetics) 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.
- (medicine) A distinct stage of wound healing, wherein the wound edges are gradually pulled together.
Antonyms
Derived terms
- contractional
- contractionary
- hypercontraction
- supercontraction
Related terms
- contract
- contractation
- contractive
See also
- omission
- Category:English contractions
- contraction on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
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