contraction
n 1: (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ
(especially of a muscle or muscle fiber) [ant: {extension}]
2: the process or result of becoming smaller or pressed
together: "the contraction of a gas on cooling" [syn: {compression},
{condensation}]
3: a word formed from two or more words by omitting or
combining some sounds: "won't" from "will not"; "o'clock"
from "of the clock"