Also means
shortening (grammar)
Usage Note
Contraction is used in medicine for muscle contractions, especially contractions during childbirth, and in grammar for the merging of words — du (de + le) and au (à + le) are the two obligatory contractions in French, a point unique to the language. The verb is contracter (to contract, to catch an illness, or to take out a contract).
Examples
"Les contractions sont de plus en plus rapprochées."
Natural Translation
The contractions are coming closer and closer together.
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