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con·trac·tion
 contraction
- pronunciation:
- k
 n
traek
shn
| part of speech: |
noun |
| inflections: |
contractions |
| definition 1: |
an act of contracting.
- synonyms:
- constriction, shortening, tightening
- antonyms:
- expansion, extension
- similar words:
- compression, flexion, narrowing, reduction, shrinking, squeeze, taper
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| definition 2: |
the result of such an act.
- synonyms:
- construction, shortening, shrinkage, tightening
- antonyms:
- extension
- similar words:
- compactness, compression, decrease, diminution, reduction, tightness
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| definition 3: |
a shortened form of a word or words, often with an apostrophe to represent the missing letters.
"Can't" is a contraction of "cannot".
- synonyms:
- shortening, syncope
- similar words:
- elision
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| related words: |
abbreviation, abridgment, travail |
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