contraction

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Contents

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

contract + -tion.

[edit] 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

[edit] Noun

Singular
contraction

Plural
contractions

contraction (plural contractions)

  1. A reversible reduction in size.
  2. (economics) A period of economic decline or negative growth.
    The country's economic contraction was caused by high oil prices.
  3. (biology) A shortening of a muscle when it is used.
  4. (medicine) A strong and often painful shortening of the uterine muscles prior to or during childbirth.
  5. (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".
  6. (medicine) Contracting a disease.
    The contraction of AIDS from toilet seats is extremely rare.
  7. (phonetics) Syncope, the loss of sounds from within a word.
  8. The acquisition of something, generally negative.
    Our contraction of debt in this quarter has reduced our ability to attract investors.
  9. (medicine) A distinct stage of wound healing, wherein the wound edges are gradually pulled together.

[edit] Translations

reduction in size or activity
shortening of a muscle when it is used
painful shortening of the uterine muscles
shortened word or phrase

[edit] Antonyms

[edit] Derived terms

[edit] Related terms

[edit] See also

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