GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 5 definitions

1.       
   Contract (kŏn‑trăktˈ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Contracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Contracting.] [L. contractus, p. p. of contrahere to contract; con- + trahere to draw: cf. F. contracter. See Trace, and cf. Contract, n.]
   1. To draw together or nearer; to reduce to a less compass; to shorten, narrow, or lessen; as, “to contract one's sphere of action”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   In all things desuetude doth contract and narrow our faculties. Dr. H. More.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. To draw together so as to wrinkle; to knit.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Thou didst contract and purse thy brow. Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   3. To bring on; to incur; to acquire; as, “to contract a habit; to contract a debt; to contract a disease”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Each from each contract new strength and light. Pope.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Such behavior we contract by having much conversed with persons of high station. Swift.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   4. To enter into, with mutual obligations; to make a bargain or covenant for.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   We have contracted an inviolable amity, peace, and lague with the aforesaid queen. Hakluyt.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Many persons . . . had contracted marriage within the degrees of consanguinity . . . prohibited by law. Strype.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   5. To betroth; to affiance.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   The truth is, she and I, long since contracted,
   
   Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us. Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   6. (Gram.) To shorten by omitting a letter or letters or by reducing two or more vowels or syllables to one.
   
   Syn. -- To shorten; abridge; epitomize; narrow; lessen; condense; reduce; confine; incur; assume.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

2.       
   Contract (kŏn‑trăktˈ), v. i.
   1. To be drawn together so as to be diminished in size or extent; to shrink; to be reduced in compass or in duration; as, “iron contracts in cooling; a rope contracts when wet”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   Years contracting to a moment. Wordsworth.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. To make an agreement; to covenant; to agree; to bargain; as, “to contract for carrying the mail”.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

3.       
   Contract (kŏnˈtrăkt), a. Contracted; as, “a contract verb”.  Goodwin.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

4.       
   Contract (kŏn‑trăktˈ), a. [L. contractus, p. p.] Contracted; affianced; betrothed. [Obs.]  Shak.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
         
       

5.       
   Contract (kŏnˈtrăkt), n. [L. contractus, fr. contrahere: cf. F. contrat, formerly also contract.]
   1. (Law) The agreement of two or more persons, upon a sufficient consideration or cause, to do, or to abstain from doing, some act; an agreement in which a party undertakes to do, or not to do, a particular thing; a formal bargain; a compact; an interchange of legal rights.  Wharton.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   2. A formal writing which contains the agreement of parties, with the terms and conditions, and which serves as a proof of the obligation.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   
   3. The act of formally betrothing a man and woman.
   
   [1913 Webster]
   
   This is the the night of the contract. Longwellow.
   
   Syn. -- Covenant; agreement; compact; stipulation; bargain; arrangement; obligation. See Covenant.
   
   [1913 Webster]