Laxi Dictionary

English Dictionary

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Definition contraction in British English

contraction noun

noun
/kənˈtrækʃ(ə)n/
1

a movement of a muscle in which it becomes tighter, especially the strong painful movement of the muscles of a woman's womb that help to push a baby out during birth

Synonyms and related words
the afterbirth amniocentesis amniotic fluid
2

the process of becoming smaller

Example

the contraction of cooling metal

Example

There is likely to be further contraction of the dot.com sector as more firms go bankrupt.

Synonyms and related words
shrink contract compact
3

a word made by leaving out a letter or letters of a word or words. For example 'can't' is a contraction of the word 'cannot'.

Synonyms and related words
antonym argot back formation
Definition contraction in British English