Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [kuh n-trak-shuh n]
- /kənˈtræk ʃən/
- /kənˈtræk.ʃən/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [kuh n-trak-shuh n]
- /kənˈtræk ʃən/
Definitions of contraction word
- countable noun contraction When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions, she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb. 3
- countable noun contraction A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words. 3
- noun contraction an instance of contracting or the state of being contracted 3
- noun contraction any normal shortening or tensing of an organ or part, esp of a muscle, e.g. during childbirth 3
- noun contraction any abnormal tightening or shrinking of an organ or part 3
- noun contraction a shortening of a word or group of words, often marked in written English by an apostrophe 3
Information block about the term
Origin of contraction
First appearance:
before 1375 One of the 22% oldest English words
1375-1425; late Middle English (< Middle French) < Latin contractiōn- (stem of contractiō), equivalent to contract(us) drawn together, past participle of contrahere (see contract) + -iōn- -ion
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Contraction
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
contraction popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 94% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
contraction usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for contraction
noun contraction
- recession — a return of ownership to a former possessor.
- shrinkage — the act or fact of shrinking.
- reduction — the act of reducing or the state of being reduced.
- decrease — When something decreases or when you decrease it, it becomes less in quantity, size, or intensity.
- condensation — Condensation consists of small drops of water which form when warm water vapour or steam touches a cold surface such as a window.
Antonyms for contraction
noun contraction
- increase — to make greater, as in number, size, strength, or quality; augment; add to: to increase taxes.
- amplification — the act or result of amplifying
- dilation — the act of dilating; state of being dilated.
- opening — an open or clear space.
- spread — to draw, stretch, or open out, especially over a flat surface, as something rolled or folded (often followed by out).
Top questions with contraction
- what does a contraction feel like?
- what is a contraction?
- what do braxton hicks contraction feel like?
- what is contraction?
- contraction timer when to go to the hospital?
- what shortens during muscle contraction?
- what does contraction mean?
- contraction for who has?
- what is muscle contraction?
- what is a contraction in a sentence?
- contraction for who is?
- what is a contraction word?
- how long does a contraction last?
- who is contraction?
- why are calcium ions necessary for skeletal muscle contraction?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with c
- Words starting with co
- Words starting with con
- Words starting with cont
- Words starting with contr
- Words starting with contra
- Words starting with contrac
- Words starting with contract
- Words starting with contracti
- Words starting with contractio
- Words starting with contraction