Topic: BUSINESS BASICS
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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Language: | Latin |
| Origin: | contractus, past participle of contrahere 'to pull together, make a contract, make smaller', from com- ( COM-) + trahere 'to pull' |
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con‧tract2
1 [intransitive] to become smaller or narrower [≠ expand]: 
Metal contracts as it cools.The economy has contracted by 2.5% since last year.
Metal contracts as it cools.The economy has contracted by 2.5% since last year.2 [transitive] formalMI to get an illness : Two-thirds of the adult population there has contracted AIDS.
Two-thirds of the adult population there has contracted AIDS.3BB [intransitive and transitive] to sign a contract in which you agree formally that you will do something or someone will do something for you
contract (somebody) to do something They are contracted to work 35 hours a week. the company that had been contracted to build the models
They are contracted to work 35 hours a week.the company that had been contracted to build the models contract (with) somebody for something Doctors control their budgets and contract with hospitals for services.
Doctors control their budgets and contract with hospitals for services. contract a marriage/alliance etc (=agree to marry someone, form a relationship with them etc) Most of the marriages were contracted when the brides were very young.
Most of the marriages were contracted when the brides were very young.
