Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

contraction rule

noun

Definition of contraction rule

: a patternmaker's rule in which the divisions are made larger (¹/₉₆ for iron, ¹/₆₄ for brass) than standard measures to allow for contraction during cooling of the metal being cast

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about contraction rule

Statistics for contraction rule

Look-up Popularity

Comments on contraction rule

What made you want to look up contraction rule? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

auxiliary

Listen to the pronounciation of auxiliary

providing supplementary assistance

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games