n. [ L. contractus, fr. contrahere: cf. F. contrat, formerly also contract. ]
This is the the night of the contract. Longwellow.
v. t.
In all things desuetude doth contract and narrow our faculties. Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]
Thou didst contract and purse thy brow. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
Each from each contract new strength and light. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]
Such behavior we contract by having much conversed with persons of high station. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]
We have contracted an inviolable amity, peace, and lague with the aforesaid queen. Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ]
Many persons . . . had contracted marriage within the degrees of consanguinity . . . prohibited by law. Strype. [ 1913 Webster ]
The truth is, she and I, long since contracted,
Are now so sure, that nothing can dissolve us. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i.
Years contracting to a moment. Wordsworth. [ 1913 Webster ]
a. Contracted;
a. [ L. contractus, p. p. ] Contracted; affianced; betrothed. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
adj. capable of being transmitted by infection; same as communicable, 1; -- of disease.
a.
Inquire me out contracted bachelors. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. The state of being contracted; narrowness; meanness; selfishness. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. Capability of being contracted; quality of being contractible;
a. Capable of contraction. [ 1913 Webster ]
Small air bladders distable and contractible. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]