contraction
con.trac.tion \k*n-'trak-sh*n\ \-'trak-shn*l, -sh*n-*l\ \-'trak-tiv\ n 1a: the action or process of contracting : the state of being contracted 1b: the shortening and thickening of a functioning muscle or muscle fiber 1c: a reduction in business activity 2: a shortening of a word, syllable, or word group by omission of a sound o r letter; also : a form produced by such shortening - con.trac.tion.al aj