contract

adjective

1. (obsolete) Contracted; affianced; betrothed.

2. (obsolete) Not abstract; concrete.

noun

1. a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law

Definition categories: communication

2. (contract bridge) the highest bid becomes the contract setting the number of tricks that the bidder must make

Similar word(s): declaration

Definition categories: communication, bid, bidding

3. a variety of bridge in which the bidder receives points toward game only for the number of tricks he bid

Definition categories: act, bridge

verb

1. enter into a contractual arrangement

Similar word(s): undertake

Definition categories: communication, assure, promise

2. engage by written agreement

Similar word(s): sign

Definition categories: social, employ, engage, hire

3. squeeze or press together

- the spasm contracted the muscle

Similar word(s): compact, compress, constrict, press, squeeze

Definition categories: contact, tighten

4. be stricken by an illness, fall victim to an illness

Similar word(s): get, take

Definition categories: body, sicken

5. become smaller or draw together

Similar word(s): shrink

Definition categories: change, decrease, diminish, fall, lessen

6. make smaller

- The heat contracted the woollen garment

Definition categories: contact, reduce, shrink

7. compress or concentrate

Similar word(s): concentrate, condense

Definition categories: change, alter, modify

8. make or become more narrow or restricted

Similar word(s): narrow

Definition categories: change

9. reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

Similar word(s): abbreviate, abridge, cut, foreshorten, reduce, shorten

Definition categories: change, decrease, lessen, minify