contraction

n.

1. 收缩；缩短[U][S1]
   Cold weather causes a contraction of two inches in the bridge.

   寒冷的天气会使这座桥缩短两英寸。

2. 【语】缩短，缩约；缩短形，缩约形式[U][C]
   "Won't" is a contraction of "will not".

   “won't”是“will not”的缩短形。

3. 【解】收缩，挛缩[U][C]
   contraction of a muscle

   肌肉的收缩

4. 【经】收缩，紧缩[U]
5. （疾病的）感染；（恶习的）沾染；（债的）背负[U]
   the contraction of a disease

   疾病的感染