contract

contract [kän′trakt΄] for n. & usually for vt.1 & vi.1 [; kən trakt′] for v. generally

n.

[OFr < L contractus, pp. of contrahere, to draw together, make a bargain < com-, together + trahere, to DRAW]

1. an agreement between two or more people to do something, esp. one formally set forth in writing and enforceable by law; compact; covenant

2. a formal agreement of marriage or betrothal

3. a document containing the terms of a contract

4. the branch of law having to do with contracts

☆ 5. Informal an assignment to murder someone for pay

6. Bridge

a) the highest bid in an auction

b) the number of tricks, and the suit or no-trump preference, stated in such a bid

c) CONTRACT BRIDGE

vt.

1.

a) to enter upon, or undertake, by contract

b) to hire (a person, business, etc.) to perform under contract [we contracted him to fix the roof]

2. to get, acquire, or incur [to contract a disease, a debt, etc.]

3.

a) to reduce in size; draw together; narrow; shrink; shorten [cold contracts metals]

b) to draw (the brow or brows) together; knit

4. to narrow in scope; restrict

5. Rare to betroth

6. Gram. to shorten (a word or phrase) by the omission of a letter or sound, as in I'm, e'er, can't

vi.

1. to make a contract; agree formally [to contract for a new car]

2. to become reduced in size or bulk; draw together; shrink; narrow; shorten

——————

contract out

1. to assign (a job) by contract; specif., to subcontract

2. Chiefly Brit. to withdraw from a contract or agreement

contractibility

n.

contractible

adj.

SYN.- CONTRACT implies a drawing together of surface or parts and a resultant decrease in size, bulk, or extent; to SHRINK is to contract so as to be short of the normal or required length, amount, extent, etc. [those shirts have shrunk]; CONDENSE suggests reduction of something into a more compact or more dense form without loss of essential content [condensed milk; to COMPRESS is to press or squeeze into a more compact, orderly form [a lifetime's work compressed into one volume ]; DEFLATE implies a reduction in size or bulk by the removal of air, gas, or in extended use, anything insubstantial [to deflate a balloon, one's ego, etc. ] -ANT. EXPAND, INFLATE