contract
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5 ENTRIES FOUND:

1con·tract

noun \ˈkän-ˌtrakt\

Definition of CONTRACT

1
a : a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties; especially : one legally enforceable
b : a business arrangement for the supply of goods or services at a fixed price <make parts on contract>
c : the act of marriage or an agreement to marry
2
: a document describing the terms of a contract
3
: the final bid to win a specified number of tricks in bridge
4
: an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone <his enemies put out a contract on him>

Examples of CONTRACT

  1. The contract requires him to finish work by the end of the year.
  2. I tore up the contract.
  3. Have you signed the contract yet?

Origin of CONTRACT

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin contractus, from contrahere to draw together, make a contract, reduce in size, from com- + trahere to draw
First Known Use: 14th century

Other Business Terms

amortize, caveat emptor, clearinghouse, divest, due diligence, emolument, green-collar, marque, overhead, perquisite

2con·tract

verb \vt 2a & vi 1 usually ˈkän-ˌtrakt, others usually kən-ˈ\

Definition of CONTRACT

transitive verb
1
a : to bring on oneself especially inadvertently : incur <contracting debts>
b : to become affected with <contract pneumonia>
2
a : to establish or undertake by contract <contract a job>
b : betroth; also : to establish (a marriage) formally
c (1) : to hire by contract <contract a lawyer>
(2) : to purchase (as goods or services) on a contract basis —often used with out
3
a : limit, restrict <contract the scope of their activities>
b : knit, wrinkle <frown contracted his brow>
c : to draw together : concentrate
4
: to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or forcing together <contract a muscle>
5
: to shorten (as a word) by omitting one or more sounds or letters
intransitive verb
1
: to make a contract
2
: to draw together so as to become diminished in size <metal contracts on cooling>; also : to become less in compass, duration, or length <muscle contracts in tetanus>
con·tract·ibil·i·ty \kən-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌkän-\ noun
con·tract·ible \kən-ˈtrak-tə-bəl, ˈkän-ˌ\ adjective

Examples of CONTRACT

  1. She contracted her lips into a frown.
  2. The muscle expands and then contracts.
  3. The hot metal contracted as it cooled.

Origin of CONTRACT

Middle English, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French contracter to agree upon, from Latin contractus
First Known Use: 14th century

Synonym Discussion of CONTRACT

contract, shrink, condense, compress, constrict, deflate mean to decrease in bulk or volume. contract applies to a drawing together of surfaces or particles or a reduction of area or length <caused her muscles to contract>. shrink implies a contracting or a loss of material and stresses a falling short of original dimensions <the sweater will shrink when washed>. condense implies a reducing of something homogeneous to greater compactness without significant loss of content <condense the essay into a paragraph>. compress implies a pressing into a small compass and definite shape usually against resistance <compressed cotton into bales>. constrict implies a tightening that reduces diameter <the throat is constricted by a tight collar>. deflate implies a contracting by reducing the internal pressure of contained air or gas <deflate the balloon>.

3contract

adjective

Definition of CONTRACT

: hired to execute a contract <a contract worker> <a contract killer>

First Known Use of CONTRACT

1936

con·tract

transitive verb \kən-ˈtrakt also ˈkän-ˌtrakt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of CONTRACT

1
: to become affected with <contract pneumonia>
2
: to reduce to smaller size by or as if by squeezing or drawing together <treatment…inhibits spindle formation and contracts chromosomes—Ernst Mayr>
3
of a muscle or muscle fiber : to cause to undergo contraction; especially : to cause to shorten and thicken
intransitive verb
1
: to draw together so as to become diminished in size
2
of a muscle or muscle fiber : to undergo contraction; especially : to shorten and thicken
con·tract·ibil·i·ty \kən-ˌtrak-tə-ˈbil-ət-ē, ˌkän-\ (audio pronunciation) noun, plural ; con·tract·ibil·i·ties
con·tract·ible \kən-ˈtrak-tə-bəl, ˈkän-ˌ\ (audio pronunciation) adjective

contract

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Agreement between two or more parties that creates for each party a duty to do something (e.g., to provide goods at a certain price according to a specified schedule) or a duty not to do something (e.g., to divulge an employer's trade secrets or financial status to third parties). A party's failure to honour a contract allows the other party or parties to bring an action for damages in a court of law, though arbitration may also be pursued in an effort to keep the matter confidential. In order to be valid, a contract must be entered into both willingly and freely. A contract that violates this principle, including one made with a legal minor or a person deemed mentally incompetent, may be declared unenforceable. A contract also must have a lawful objective.

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