contracted
v. · adj.-
1 caught an illness (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Medicineto have caught a disease or illness.
to have become infected with a disease or medical condition. Transitive — requires the name of the illness as a direct object.
ExampleHe contracted a rare fever while traveling through the tropical jungle.
ExampleThe patient reportedly contracted the virus during a period of high community transmission, despite having no known direct contact with infected individuals.
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2 became smaller (v.) B2 Upper Intermediate Sciencebecame shorter, tighter, or smaller in size.
underwent a reduction in size, extent, or volume. Intransitive in this sense.
ExampleThe metal cooled and contracted slightly as the temperature dropped.
ExampleAs the muscle fibers contracted, the limb moved upward in a smooth, controlled motion that demonstrated the athlete's recovery.
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3 agreed by legal document (adj.) C1 Advanced Formal Technical Lawagreed upon in a formal or legal way.
established or settled by a formal contract or legal agreement.
ExampleThe company failed to provide the contracted services on time.
ExampleThe dispute arose when the developer attempted to alter the contracted specifications without seeking prior approval from the municipal planning board.
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4 shortened word forms (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediate Technicalshortened by leaving out letters, like 'don't' instead of 'do not'.
referring to a word or phrase that has been shortened by the omission of internal letters. Used primarily in linguistics.
ExampleIn casual speech, people often use contracted forms like 'I'm' or 'we'll'.
ExampleThe professor noted that while contracted forms are standard in spoken English, they should be avoided in highly formal academic dissertations.