contract
/ˈkɒntrækt/ (noun), /kənˈtrækt/ (verb)
noun / verb
Origin
Latin
contractus — drawn together, shrunken, or an agreement
Overview
Meaning Now
- A written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.
- To decrease in size, number, or range; to become smaller.
- To catch or develop a disease or negative condition.
Literal older meaning
to draw together
Language path
Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
contract
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The word reflects the double meaning of 'bringing together': in law, it refers to the meeting of minds between parties; in physical terms, it refers to a drawing together of parts into a smaller volume.
Evolution
- Classical Latin
contrahere
“to draw together, assemble, or enter into an agreement”
From 'com-' (together) + 'trahere' (to pull/draw).
- Vulgar Latin
contractare
“to enter into an agreement”
- Old French
contract
“agreement, pact”
- Middle English
contract
“legal agreement”
Introduced into English legal vocabulary.
- Early Modern English
contract
“to shorten or shrink”
Development of the verb sense alongside the noun.
Connections
Word parts
con-
prefix
together
tract
root
to pull or draw (from Latin trahere)
Related across languages
French
contrat
contract
Spanish
contrato
contract
Related words
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Related to contract
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.