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 | ||