n.

1. 收縮；縮短[U][S1]
   Cold weather causes a contraction of two inches in the bridge.

   寒冷的天氣會使這座橋縮短兩英寸。

2. 【語】縮短，縮約；縮短形，縮約形式[U][C]
   "Won't" is a contraction of "will not".

   "won't"是"will not"的縮短形。

3. 【解】收縮，攣縮[U][C]
   contraction of a muscle

   肌肉的收縮

4. 【經】收縮，緊縮[U]
5. （疾病的）感染；（惡習的）沾染；（債的）背負[U]
   the contraction of a disease

   疾病的感染

n.

1. the process of contracting.
2. a shortening of the uterine muscles occurring at intervals before and during childbirth.
3. a word or group of words resulting from contracting an original form.