contact

¹con·tact

noun \ˈkän-ˌtakt\

Definition of CONTACT

1

a : union or junction of surfaces b : the apparent touching or mutual tangency of the limbs of two celestial bodies or of the disk of one body with the shadow of another during an eclipse, transit, or occultation c (1) : the junction of two electrical conductors through which a current passes (2) : a special part made for such a junction

2

a : association, relationship b : connection, communication c : an establishing of communication with someone or an observing or receiving of a significant signal from a person or object <radar contact with Mars>

3

: a person serving as a go-between, messenger, connection, or source of special information <business contacts>

4

: contact lens

Examples of CONTACT

1. Physical contact between a mother and child is very important.
2. a disease that is spread by sexual contact
3. Contacts between the two leaders have been frequent in recent weeks.
4. I applied for a job at that law firm because I have a contact there.

Origin of CONTACT

French or Latin; French, from Latin contactus, from contingere to have contact with — more at contingent

First Known Use: 1626

Related to CONTACT

Synonyms: connection

Related Words: in, insider; big shot, bigwig, somebody, VIP; arbiter, arbitrator, conciliator, go-between, intercessor, intermediary, interposer, mediator, middleman, peacemaker

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Rhymes with CONTACT

abstract, attract, class act, compact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked