CONTRACT, v.t. [L., to draw. See Draw.] 1. To draw together or nearer; to draw into a less compass, either in length or breadth; to shorten; to abridge; to narrow; to lessen; as, to contract an inclosure; to contract the faculties; to contract the period of life; to contract the sphere of action.2. To draw the parts together; to wrinkle; as, to contract the brow.3. To betroth; to affiance. A contracted his daughter to B. The lady was contracted to a man of merit.4. To draw to; to bring on; to incur; to gain. We contract vicious habits by indulgence. We contract debt by extravagance.5. To shorten by omission of a letter or syllable; as, to contract a word.6. To epitomize; to abridge; as, to contract an essay.CONTRACT, v.i. 1. To shrink; to become shorter or narrower.Many bodies contract by the application of cold.A hempen cord contracts by moisture.2. To bargain; to make a mutual agreement, as between two or more persons. We have contracted for a load of flour; or we have contracted with a farmer for a quantity of provisions.CONTRACT, for contracted, pp. Affianced; betrothed. CONTRACT, n. 1. An agreement or covenant between two or more persons, in which each party binds himself to do or forbear some act, and each acquires a right to what the other promises; a mutual promise upon lawful consideration or promise upon lawful consideration or cause, which binds the parties to a performance; a bargain; a compact. Contracts are executory or executed.2. The act by which a man and woman are betrothed, each to the other.3. The writing which contains the agreement of parties with the terms and conditions, and which serves as a proof of the obligation. |
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In celebration of Noah Webster's Birthday (October 16, 2009), we have prepared an updated website. 
