n (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
n the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
the contraction of a gas on cooling
n a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds
`won't' is a contraction of `will not' `o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'
n the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope
These women want to give birth in their own bed or tub, with none of the medical interventions that have become staples of modern childbirth, like contraction-inducing medication .
The 5,000-member Iranian secret police force SAVAK (a contraction of the Farsi words for security and information organization) has long been Iran's most hated and feared .
This cablese, with its word contractions, its elaborate prefixes and suffixes, had nearly become a code; hence, the ban.
Eurozone Private Sector Slump Eases, But Unlikely To Avert Q2 Contraction The downturn in Eurozone's private sector economy eased sharply in May, but the improvement is unlikely to provide sufficient lift to the region's economy to avoid a further contraction in the second quarter.
June 20, 2013 - RTT News
Glenn Stevens in Blue Mountains Gazette When announcing the rise, Reserve Bank governor Glenn Stevens said "with the risk of serious economic contraction in Australia now having passed" it was time to gradually decrease the level of stimulus".
Alan Greenspan in USA Today Given the financial damage to date, I cannot see how we can avoid a significant rise in layoffs and unemployment,Greenspan said. "Fearful American households are attempting to adjust, as best they can, to a rapid contraction in credit...
Liz McIntyre in Forbes The possibility of higher energy prices, tighter credit conditions, and a still-deeper contraction in housing markets all represent significant downside risks to the outlook for growth. Atthe same time, upside risks to the inflation outlook have... Ben Bernanke http://www.google.com/url?q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Bernanke&source=dictionary&usg=AFQjCNEsTNLK-7-f3R5-thHohB-P27CEdw Xinhua http://www.google.com/url?q=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/16/content_8551829.htm&source=dictionary&usg=AFQjCNHXr_MCzBwr30VNitO69RpsgSmEXw Jul 15, 2008
21883 29433 contractor It was scary that a government contractor that specialized in putting surveillance cameras on city streets was the first to incorporate this technology in the workplace," says Liz McIntyre, co-author of "Spychips: How Major Corporations and...