contraction
US /kənˈtræk.ʃən/
UK /kənˈtræk.ʃən/
1.
收缩, 缩小
the process of becoming smaller
:
•
The contraction of the muscles caused the arm to bend.
肌肉的收缩导致手臂弯曲。
•
Economic contraction is a period of economic decline.
经济收缩是经济衰退的时期。
2.
缩写, 缩略语
a shortened form of a word or group of words, with the omitted letters often replaced by an apostrophe
:
•
‘Don’t’ is a contraction of ‘do not’.
“Don’t”是“do not”的缩写。
•
Many English speakers use contractions in informal speech.
许多英语使用者在非正式讲话中使用缩写。