Also means
to catch (a disease), to take out (a loan)
Usage Note
Contracter has three distinct uses: to contract a disease (contracter une maladie), to sign a contract (contracter un emprunt, to take out a loan), and in grammar/phonetics, to contract two words into one. The reflexive se contracter means to tighten or contract (of muscles).
Examples
"Il a contracté une grippe sévère."
Natural Translation
He contracted a severe flu.

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