Meaning of 'contract'

noun

a variety of the card game bridge in which the bidder receives points only for the number of tricks that have been bid

Example: "I enjoy a game of contract every now and again."

Synonyms: contract bridge

noun

a binding agreement between two or more persons that is enforceable by law

Example: "The contract clearly states that you cannot work for a competitor."

noun

in bridge, the highest bid, which sets the number of tricks that the bidder must make

Example: "The game was challenging with such a high contract."

Synonyms: declaration

verb

to be stricken by or fall victim to an illness

Example: "Many individuals contracted the plague in London in 1665."

Synonyms: get take

verb

to become smaller or draw together

Example: "My pupils contracted because of the extreme brightness."

Synonyms: shrink

verb

to reduce in scope while retaining essential elements

Example: "I contracted the document so only the bare bones were there."

Synonyms: cut reduce shorten abridge abbreviate foreshorten

verb

to make or become more narrow or restricted

Synonyms: narrow

verb

to enter into a contractual arrangement

Synonyms: undertake

verb

to make smaller

Example: "The heat contracted the woollen garment."

Synonyms: decrease

verb

to squeeze or press together

Synonyms: press

verb

to engage by written agreement

Synonyms: sign sign up sign on

noun

an order to kill someone, usually for money

Example: "The mob boss put out a contract on the snitch."