Look up: contraction

1. 
   contraction
   [n] - a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds 2. [n] - (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
   Found on http://www.webdictionary.co.uk/definitio
   
   
2. 
   contraction
   The tightening of a muscle. In labour, the strong, rhythmic contractions of the muscles of the uterus open up the cervix and push the baby out. Any contractions before labour begins are usually irregular and don't increase in intensity or duration.
   Found on http://www.babycentre.co.uk/glossary/b/
   
   
3. 
   Contraction
   [pronounce: con-track-shun] When something is getting smaller.
   Found on http://www.longman.co.uk/tt_secsci/resou
   
   
4. 
   Contraction
   see apostrophe
   Found on http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/primary
   
   
5. 
   contraction
   reduction
   Found on
   
   
6. 
   Contraction
   Contraction: The tightening and shortening of a muscle.
   Found on http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.
   
   
7. 
   contraction
   a period of general economic decline,one of the four stages of the business cycle Category: Economics • the extent to which the cross-section area of a jet,nappe or stream is decreased after passing an orifice,weir or notch Category: Building industry • a shortening or increase in tension,denoting the normal function of muscular tissue Category: Medicine
   Found on http://www.mijnwoordenboek.nl/definition
   
   
8. 
   Contraction
   Con·trac'tion noun [ Latin contractio : confer French contraction .] 1. The act or process of contracting, shortening, or shrinking; the state of being contracted; as, contraction of the heart, of the pupil of the eye, or of a tendon; the contraction produced by cold. 2. (Math.) The process of shortening an operation. 3. The act of incurr ...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/C/149
   
   
9. 
   contraction
   <physiology> A shortening or reduction in size, in connection with muscles contraction implies shortening and/or development of tension. ... Origin: L. Contractus = drawn together ... (18 Nov 1997) ...
   Found on http://www.mondofacto.com/facts/dictiona
   
   
10. 
    contraction
    noun the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
    Found on http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?
    
    
11. 
    contraction
    noun a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds; ``won`t` is a contraction of `will not``; ``o`clock` is a contraction of `of the clock``
    Found on http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?
    
    
12. 
    contraction
    muscle contraction noun (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
    Found on http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?
    
    
13. 
    Contraction
    `Contraction` may refer to: * Contraction (childbirth), a contraction during childbirth (basically referring to muscle contraction) * In linguistic morphology, a contraction is a new word formed from two or more individual words. See also abbreviation and acronym. * In phonetics, a contraction or syncope is the loss or reduction of sounds within a word. *Braille contraction, used to decrease space and increase reading speed * Economic contractio...
    Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contraction
    
    
14. 
    contraction
    (kәn-trak´shәn) a drawing together; a shortening or shrinkage.
    Found on http://www.mercksource.com/pp/us/cns/cns
    
    
15. 
    Contraction
    • (n.) The act or process of contracting, shortening, or shrinking; the state of being contracted; as, contraction of the heart, of the pupil of the eye, or of a tendion; the contraction produced by cold. • (n.) A marriage contract. • (n.) Something contracted or abbreviated, as a word or phrase; -- as, plenipo for plenipotentiary; c...
    Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning
    
    
16. 
    contraction
    (from the article `paleography`) ...problem confronting paleographers. They were extensively used in Roman times by lawyers to avoid repetition of technical terms and formulas. ...
    Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/c/135
    
    
17. 
    contraction
    (from the article `economic stabilizer`) When business begins to contract, the first manifestation is a decrease in investment that causes unemployment in the capital goods industries; the ... ...of administrative, clerical, and technical workers relative to manual workers. A second course of change has affected occupations linked with ...
    Found on http://www.britannica.com/eb/a-z/c/135
    
    
18. 
    contraction
    (L. contractus drawn together) a shortening or reduction in size; in connection with muscles contraction implies shortening and/or development of tension.
    Found on http://users.ugent.be/~rvdstich/eugloss/
    
    
19. 
    Contraction
    Economic contraction
    Found on http://www-personal.umich.edu/~alandear/
    
    
20. 
    contraction
    A period of general economic decline. Contractions are often part of a business cycle, coming after an expansionary phase and before a recession.…
    Found on http://www.oenb.at/dictionary/termini.js
    
    
21. 
    Contraction
    A forceful, rhythmic and often painful tightening of the uterine muscles during labor. Contractions occur during childbirth and help to push the baby through the cervix and out of the vagina. True labor contractions will become closer, stronger and will help dilate the cervix. False labor contractions do not become closer or stronger and are know...
    Found on http://www.pregnology.com/AZ/C/9
    
    
22. 
    contraction
    contraction, in writing: see abbreviation.
    Found on http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/society/A0
    
    
23. 
    contraction
    contraction, in physics: see expansion.
    Found on http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/sci/A09121