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(kntrkt"), 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. In all things desuetude doth contract and narrow our faculties. Dr. H. More. 2. To draw together so as to wrinkle; to knit. Thou didst contract and purse thy brow. Shak. 3. To bring on; to incur; to acquire; as, to contract a habit; to contract a debt; to contract a disease. Each from each contract new strength and light. Pope. Such behavior we contract by having much conversed with persons of high station. Swift. 4. To enter into, with mutual obligations; to make a bargain or covenant for. We have contracted an inviolable amity, peace, and lague with the aforesaid queen. Hakluyt. Many persons . . . had contracted marriage within the Contract" (kntrkt"), 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. Years contracting to a moment. Wordsworth. 2. To make an agreement; to covenant; to agree; to bargain; as, to contract for carrying the mail. Con"tract (kn"trkt), a.Contracted; as, a contract verb. Goodwin. Contract" (kntrkt"), a.[L. contractus, p. p.] Contracted; affianced; betrothed. [Obs.] Shak. Con"tract (kn"trkt), 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. 2. A formal writing which contains the agreement of parties, with the terms and conditions, and which serves as a proof of the obligation. 3. The act of formally betrothing a man and woman. This is the the night of the contract. Longfellow. Syn. -- Covenant; agreement; compact; stipulation; bargain; arrangement; obligation. See Covenant. スポンサード リンク
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