Definition of "contraction" []

• The act of contracting or the state of being contracted. (noun)
• A word, as won't from will not, or phrase, as o'clock from of the clock, formed by omitting or combining some of the sounds of a longer phrase. (noun)
• The formation of such a word. (noun)
• Physiology The shortening and thickening of functioning muscle or muscle fiber. (noun)
• A period of decreased business activity. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "ÂÂThe contraction is short for "He has," which makes the "got" redundant, as "He has no fear" is perfectly acceptable."
• "Herr Carlo Landberg (Proverbes et Dictons du Peuple Arabe, vol.i. of Syria, Leyden, E.J. Brill, 1883) explains layta for rayta (= raayta) by permutation of liquids and argues that the contraction is ancient (p. 42)."
• "To be sure, the economic contraction is causing pain just about everywhere."