contraction

Meanings

Noun

• (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber)
• the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed together
  • "the contraction of a gas on cooling"
• a word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds
  • "`won't' is a contraction of `will not'"
  • "`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'"
• the act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope

Synonyms

compression, condensation, muscle contraction, muscular contraction

Antonyms

expansion