contract111ty

[Eng. contractil(e); -ity; Fr. contract i lité.] Capability of contracting. (See the T.) "A muscle when stimulated shortens itself, and therefore it is said to po e the property of contractility ." Todd & Bowman: Physiol. Anat ., vol. i., ch. i., p. 55. Vital contractility : -Todd & Bowman: Physiol. p. 182. 2. Shrunken, knitted. "To him the Angel with contracted brow." 3. Affianced, betrothed. Milton: P. L. , viii. 560. IMG:content-0794.png:[blocks in formation] 6. Mean, narrow, selfish; as, a man of a contracted mind. II. Gram.: Shortened by the omi ion of one or more letters or syllables. that word is used in a limited sense. con-tract'-ing, pr. par., a. & s. [CONTRACT, v.] A. As pr. par.: (See the verb.) B. As adjective : 1. Shortening, diminishing; causing contraction, 2. Entering into a contract; stipulating, agreeing. C. As substantive : IMG:content-0795.png:[blocks in formation] contradiction 2. Surg : A permanent alteration in parts of the human frame, as in the limbs, . Contraction is often feigned by malingering soldiers, sailors, and mendicants, to escape work. The sham can, however, be detected upon administration of chloroform or similar anesthetic. 3. Gram.: The reduction of two vowels, two syllables, or anything similar, to one. contraction-rule, s. Metal.: A rule in exce of standard measurement used by pattern-makers, to allow for the contraction of the cast metal in cooling. ( Knight .) con-tract-Ive, a. [Eng. contract; -ive.] Having the quality or power of contracting. "The heart, as said, from its contractive cave On the left side, ejects the bounding wave." Black more: The Creation, bk. vi. con-tract-lý, adv . [Eng. contract; -ly.] Contractedly; by contraction. con-tract-õr, s. [Lat.] I. Ordinary Language: 1. Generally: (1) One of the parties to a contract or bargain. chiefe contractors in euery treatie and amitie concluded,."-Grafton: Edw. IV., an. 9. (2) One who contracts, incurs, or draws anything upon himself. 2. Spec .: One who enters into a contract for the carrying out of any work, or the supply of any materials or goods for a stipulated consideration. II. Law : In the same senses as I.