contraction

noun kohn-trak-SYOHN Rare

Origin: Latin contractio

Also means

shortening (grammar)

Usage Note

Contraction is used in medicine for muscle contractions, especially contractions during childbirth, and in grammar for the merging of words — du (de + le) and au (à + le) are the two obligatory contractions in French, a point unique to the language. The verb is contracter (to contract, to catch an illness, or to take out a contract).

Examples

"Les contractions sont de plus en plus rapprochées."

Natural Translation

The contractions are coming closer and closer together.

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