<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>an act or instance of contracting or the quality or state of being contracted.</li><li>a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced in written English by an apostrophe.</li><li>the thickening and shortening of a muscle.</li><li>one in an often rhythmic series of such muscular changes, especially in the wall of the uterus during labor.</li><li>a restriction or withdrawal, as of currency or of funds available as call money.</li><li>a decrease in economic and industrial activity.</li></ul>