oast
EnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary in the meaning defined at sense 1a
EnglishMerriam-Webster DictionaryHistory and Etymology
Middle English contraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contractiun, borrowed from Latin contractiōn-, contractiō "drawing together, compression of language," from contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contract entry 2contraction
noun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing //most substances undergo contraction when cooledSynonymscompacting compaction compression condensation condensing constricting constriction contracting in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and EtymologyMiddle English contraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contractiun, borrowed from Latin contractiōn-, contractiō "drawing together, compression of language," from contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contract entry 2contractionnoun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing //most substances undergo contraction when cooledSynonymscompacting compaction compression condensation condensing constricting constriction contracting in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and EtymologyMiddle English contraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contractiun, borrowed from Latin contractiōn-, contractiō "drawing together, compression of language," from contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contract entry 2contractionnoun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing //most substances undergo contraction when cooledSynonymscompacting compaction compression condensation condensing constricting constriction contracting in the meaning defined at sense 1aHistory and EtymologyMiddle English contraccioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French contractiun, borrowed from Latin contractiōn-, contractiō "drawing together, compression of language," from contrac-, variant stem of contrahere "to draw together, reduce in size" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at contract entry 2contractionnoun
Synonyms & Antonyms
- the act or process of reducing the size or volume of something by or as if by pressing //most substances undergo contraction when cooled