contraction
英[kən'trækʃ(ə)n]
美[kən'trækʃən]
英英释意
- 1. (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
- 2. the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together;
- "the contraction of a gas on cooling"
- 3. a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds;
- "`won't' is a contraction of `will not'"
- "`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'"
- 4. the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope