contraction
/kənˈtrækʃn/ (bre, ipa) · /kənˈtrækʃn/ (ame, ipa) · /kən-ˈtrak-shən/ (ame, mw)
contraction — 名詞
- contractionsingular
- contractionsplural
1. the process of a material or object reducing in size, especially when it cools,
收縮
物體體積或尺寸變小的過程
the process of a material or object reducing in size, especially when it cools, dries, or is placed under physical force
The contraction of metal rails in cold weather can cause dangerous gaps between them.
寒冷天氣中金屬軌道的收縮可能導致軌道之間出現危險的縫隙。
collocation: contraction of [material]
Dahlia noticed the slow contraction of the clay as it dried in the afternoon sun.
Dahlia 注意到陶土在午後陽光下乾燥時緩慢收縮。
uncountable: the process of shrinking
A sudden contraction of the pupil occurs when you step into bright sunlight.
當你走進明亮的陽光下時，瞳孔會突然收縮。
When the metal pipe cooled down, its contraction pulled the two ends apart.
金屬管冷卻後，其收縮力將兩端拉開。
After exercise, the contraction and relaxation of muscles helps blood circulate through the body.
運動後，肌肉的收縮與放鬆有助於血液在體內循環。
- shrinking
more general and less technical; used for everyday objects
- constriction
suggests tightening or narrowing rather than overall size reduction
- compression
focuses on being pressed together by external force, not natural cooling or drying
- expansion
the process of getting larger in size
文法句型
contraction + of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' to name the material or object that shrinks (e.g., contraction of the metal). The opposite process is expansion.
常見錯誤
2. the situation of an economy or industry shrinking, with less money being spent,
緊縮
經濟活動或規模的縮減
the situation of an economy or industry shrinking, with less money being spent, fewer goods produced, and reduced business activity
The country's economy experienced a sharp contraction after the trade tariffs took effect.
該國經濟在貿易關稅生效後經歷了急劇緊縮。
collocation: sharp contraction
Economists predicted a contraction in consumer spending during the winter months.
經濟學家預測冬季期間消費者支出將出現緊縮。
pattern: contraction in [area of activity]
The construction industry saw a fifteen percent contraction in the last quarter alone.
建築業在上季度的緊縮幅度達到了百分之十五。
Layla studied how a rapid contraction in bank lending affects small businesses.
Layla 研究了銀行貸款快速緊縮如何影響小型企業。
During an economic contraction, companies often freeze hiring to reduce their costs.
在經濟緊縮期間，企業常凍結招聘以降低成本。
文法句型
contraction + in + noun phrase
economic contraction
用法筆記
Most common in economics and business journalism. Frequently paired with modifiers like sharp, severe, rapid, or modest. The standard opposite is expansion or growth.
3. one of the regular tightenings of a woman's womb muscles during childbirth that
陣痛
分娩時子宮肌肉的規律收縮
one of the regular tightenings of a woman's womb muscles during childbirth that work together to move the baby down the birth canal
Ava's contractions started coming every ten minutes, so her husband drove her to the hospital.
Ava 的陣痛開始每十分鐘出現一次，於是她的丈夫開車送她去醫院。
usually plural: contractions
The midwife told Gabriela her contractions were too weak to push the baby out.
助產士告訴 Gabriela，她的陣痛還太弱，無法將寶寶推出來。
collocation: weak / strong contractions
During labour, contractions become stronger, longer, and closer together as time passes.
分娩過程中，陣痛會隨著時間變得更強、更久且更頻繁。
Padma breathed slowly through each contraction and tried to keep her body relaxed.
Padma 在每次陣痛時緩慢呼吸，努力保持身體放鬆。
The doctor timed how far apart the contractions were to track the mother's progress.
醫生計時記錄陣痛的間隔時間，以追蹤產婦的進展。
- labour pains
everyday term focusing on the discomfort; less clinical than 'contractions'
- uterine contractions
medical term specifying the organ involved
文法句型
have + contractions
contractions + verb (start / come / become)
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form (contractions) when referring to the birth process. The intensity and frequency of contractions increase as labour progresses.
常見錯誤
4. a single word made by joining two shorter words and removing some sounds, with a
縮寫
單詞或詞組的縮短形式
a single word made by joining two shorter words and removing some sounds, with an apostrophe in place of the missing letters — for instance, 'won't' from 'will not' or 'I'm' from 'I am'
In spoken English, people often use contractions such as 'I'll' instead of 'I will'.
在英語口語中，人們經常使用縮寫，例如用「I'll」代替「I will」。
pattern: contraction such as [example]
The teacher explained that 'it's' is a contraction of 'it is' or sometimes 'it has'.
老師解釋說，「it's」是「it is」或「it has」的縮寫。
pattern: contraction of [full form]
Eitan practised using negative contractions like 'don't' and 'can't' in his English essay.
Eitan 練習在他的英語作文中使用否定縮寫，例如「don't」和「can't」。
Formal academic writing usually avoids contractions, while text messages use them freely.
正式的學術寫作通常避免使用縮寫，而簡訊則可以自由使用。
Yan was confused: 'she'd' can be a contraction of 'she had' or 'she would'.
Yan 感到困惑：「she'd」可以是「she had」或「she would」的縮寫。
- short form
broader term; includes abbreviations and contractions
- full form
the complete word or phrase before shortening
文法句型
contraction + of + full form
contraction for + full form
用法筆記
Common in everyday informal English, but most style guides recommend avoiding contractions in formal or academic writing. A contraction is different from a possessive (e.g., 'its' vs 'it's').