English Dictionary

contract

/kənˈtɹækt/

verb

(transitive, intransitive) To draw together or nearer; to shorten, narrow, or lessen. / (grammar) To shorten by omitting a letter or letters or by reducing two or more vowels or syllables to one.

They will contract a new employee next month.

意味（1）

(transitive, intransitive) To draw together or nearer; to shorten, narrow, or lessen.

The snail’s body contracted into its shell.

意味（2）

(grammar) To shorten by omitting a letter or letters or by reducing two or more vowels or syllables to one.

The word “cannot” is often contracted into “can’t”.

意味（3）

(transitive) To enter into a contract with.

意味（4）

(transitive) To enter into, with mutual obligations; to make a bargain or covenant for.

We have contracted an inviolable amitie, peace, and league with the aforesaid Queene.

意味（5）

(intransitive) To make an agreement or contract; to covenant; to agree; to bargain.

to contract for carrying the mail

意味（6）

(transitive) To bring on; to incur; to acquire.

She contracted the habit of smoking in her teens.

意味（7）

(transitive) To gain or acquire (an illness).

An officer contracted hepatitis B and died after handling the blood-soaked clothing of a homicide victim […]

意味（8）

To draw together so as to wrinkle; to knit.

And didſt contract, and purſe thy brow together, / As if thou then hadſt ſhut vp in thy braine, / Some horrible counſell: […]

意味（9）

To betroth; to affiance.

The truth is, ſhe and I (long ſince contracted) / Are now ſo ſure that nothing can diſſolve vs: […]