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2 PHRASAL VERB If a person or group contracts out of a system or scheme, they formally say that they do not want to take part in it. [BRIT ] □ [V P + of ] Employees can contract out of their employer's occupational pension scheme. □ [V P ] …a deal which converts into a pay-as-you-go service unless you contract out. SYNONYMS contract NOUN 1

agreement:It looks as though a compromise agreement has now been reached.

deal:The two sides tried and failed to come to a deal.

pact:Last month the two countries signed a new non-aggression pact.

settlement:They are not optimistic about a settlement of the eleven-year conflict. VERB 3

constrict:Severe migraine can be treated with a drug which constricts the blood vessels.

tighten:Sofia's throat had tightened and she couldn't speak.

shorten:As they shorten, cells become more prone to disease and death.

con|trac|tion /kəntræ kʃ ^ə n/ (contractions )

1 N‑COUNT When a woman who is about to give birth has contractions , she experiences a very strong, painful tightening of the muscles of her womb.

2 N‑COUNT A contraction is a shortened form of a word or words. □ [+ for ] 'It's' (with an apostrophe) should be used only as a contraction for 'it is'.

3 → see also contract

con|trac|tor /kɒ ntræktə ^r , kəntræ k-/ (contractors ) N‑COUNT [oft n N ] A contractor is a person or company that does work for other people or organizations. [BUSINESS ] □  …a major U.S. defense contractor.

con|trac|tual /kəntræ ktʃuəl/ ADJ [usu ADJ n] A contractual arrangement or relationship involves a legal agreement between people. [FORMAL ] □  The company has not fulfilled certain contractual obligations. ●  con|trac|tu|al|ly ADV [usu ADV after v, ADV -ed/adj] □  Rank was contractually obliged to hand him a cheque for $30 million.

contra|dict /kɒ ntrəd I kt/ (contradicts , contradicting , contradicted )

1 VERB If you contradict someone, you say that what they have just said is wrong, or suggest that it is wrong by saying something different. □ [V n] She dared not contradict him. □ [V n] His comments appeared to contradict remarks made earlier in the day by the chairman. □ [V pron-refl] He often talks in circles, frequently contradicting himself and often ends up saying nothing.

2 VERB If one statement or piece of evidence contradicts another, the first one makes the second one appear to be wrong. □ [V n] The result seems to contradict a major U.S. study reported last November.

contra|dic|tion /kɒ ntrəd I kʃ ^ə n/ (contradictions ) N‑COUNT If you describe an aspect of a situation as a contradiction , you mean that it is completely different from other aspects, and so makes the situation confused or difficult to understand. □ [+ of ] The performance seemed to me unpardonable, a contradiction of all that the competition is supposed to be. □  The militants see no contradiction in using violence to bring about a religious state.

contra|dic|tory /kɒ ntrəd I ktəri, [AM ] -tɔːri/ ADJ If two or more facts, ideas, or statements are contradictory , they state or imply that opposite things are true. □  Customs officials have made a series of contradictory statements about the equipment. □  …advice that sometimes is contradictory and confusing.