contraction
|con-trac-tion|
/kənˈtrækʃən/
becoming smaller or shorter
Etymology
'contraction' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'contractio', where 'con-' meant 'together' and 'trahere' meant 'to draw'.
'contractio' transformed into the Old French word 'contraction', and eventually became the modern English word 'contraction'.
Initially, it meant 'drawing together', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'becoming smaller' and 'shortened form of a word'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process of becoming smaller or shorter.
The contraction of the metal was noticeable in the cold weather.
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Noun 2
a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe.
'Can't' is a contraction of 'cannot'.
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Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39