Webster's English Dictionary

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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