n.[C]

1. 契約；合同
   I was then under contract to a bus company.

   那時候我按合同為一家公車公司工作。

2. 契約書；合約書
3. （橋牌）合約
4. 婚約

vt.

1. 締結；訂（約）[（+with）]
   The two businesses contracted a merger.

   兩家商行簽約合併了。

2. 承包，承辦[（+to）]
3. 使訂婚約[（+to）]
4. 得（病）；沾染（習慣）；負（債）
   I contracted a cold.

   我得了感冒。

5. 使縮小；使收縮

vi.

1. 訂契約[（+with）]
   We contracted with a Japanese firm for the purchase of electronic instruments.

   我們與一家日本公司簽約購買電子儀器。

2. 承包，承辦[（+to）]
3. 縮小；收縮
   Metals contract in cold weather.

   金屬在寒冷的天氣裡收縮。

n.

1. a written or spoken agreement intended to be enforceable by law.
2. informal an arrangement for someone to be killed by a hired assassin.
3. Bridge  the declarer's undertaking to win the number of tricks bid with a stated suit as trumps.

v.

1. decrease in size, number, or range.
   ▸(of a muscle) become shorter and tighter in order to effect movement of part of the body.
   ▸shorten (a word or phrase) by combination or elision.
2. enter into a formal and legally binding agreement.
   ▸ (contract in/into) Brit. choose to be involved in.
   ▸ (contract out) Brit. choose to withdraw from or not become involved in.
   ▸ (contract something out) arrange for work to be done by another organization.
3. catch or develop (a disease).
4. become liable to pay (a debt).