contractional

Variant of contraction

contraction definition

con·trac·tion (kən trak′s̸hən)

noun

  1. a contracting or being contracted
  2. the shortening and thickening of a muscle fiber or a muscle in action, esp. of the uterus during labor
  3. Gram.
    1. the shortening of a word or phrase by the omission of one or more sounds or letters
    2. a word form resulting from this (Ex.: she's for she is, aren't for are not)
  4. Econ. a period of decrease in business activity

Etymology: ME contraccioun < OFr contraction < L contractio

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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