English noun: contraction | |||
| 1. | contraction (act) (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber) | ||
| Synonyms | muscle contraction, muscular contraction | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | shortening | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | Braxton-Hicks contraction, contracture, false labor, tetanus, uterine contraction, vaginismus | ||
| Domain category | physiology | ||
| 2. | contraction (event) the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together | ||
| Samples | The contraction of a gas on cooling. | ||
| Synonyms | compression, condensation | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | shrinkage, shrinking | ||
| Narrower (hyponym) | coarctation, constriction | ||
| 3. | contraction (communication) a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds | ||
| Samples | `won't' is a contraction of `will not'. `o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'. | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | word | ||
| 4. | contraction (act) the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope | ||
| Broader (hypernym) | decrease, diminution, reduction, step-down | ||
| Antonyms | enlargement, expansion | ||