contract
Signed legal promise
Contract follows the sound pattern of many Latinate words in distinguishing the noun (stress on first syllable) from the verb (stress on second syllable) for some meanings.
As a noun, contract represents a formal, enforceable, binding agreement between parties.
Verb uses of contract related to this meaning have the same pronunciation: We contracted with a roofer for the job.
When used as a verb with any other meaning, the stress is on the second syllable: contract tuberculosis (to shrink or incur), contracting “it is” gives us “it’s” (to shorten).
Formal agreement between parties
- dealAgreement or distribution
- accordHarmony between parties
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
- termsConditions of an agreement
settlement · covenant · compact · understanding · pledge · commitment · promise · stipulation
Decrease in size
- reduceMake smaller in degree
- diminishTo make smaller
- compressReduce volume by force
- constrictTo squeeze tightly
condense · tighten · narrow · deflate · shorten · retract · shrivel · compact
Written property conveyance
- indentureFormal binding contract
- leaseTemporary use contract
- warrantyFormal repair promise
- conveyanceTransfer of property rights
affidavit · escrow · notarized · binding · enforceable · breach · arbitration · litigation
Take on for work
- jobPaid position of employment
- positionLocation or stance
- freelanceSelf-employed project work
- temporaryLimited in duration
gig · full-time · part-time · tenure · appointment · severance · probation · termination
pact
Formal agreement between parties
- dealAgreement or distribution
- accordHarmony between parties
- arrangementOrdered configuration or agreement
terms · settlement · covenant · compact · understanding · pledge · commitment · promise · stipulation · protocol
shrinkage
Decrease in size
constrict · condense · tighten · narrow · deflate · shorten · retract · shrivel · compact · withdraw
deed
Written property conveyance
conveyance · affidavit · escrow · notarized · binding · enforceable · breach · arbitration · litigation · jurisdiction
hire
Take on for work
temporary · gig · full-time · part-time · tenure · appointment · severance · probation · termination · non-compete
flex
Tense a muscle
twitch · tighten · clench · biceps · triceps · cardiac · smooth · skeletal · relax · extend
catch
Seize or snag
acquire · exposure · incubation · communicable · spread · vector · carrier · outbreak · pathogen · susceptible
- businesscompany, corporation, firm, enterprise, commerce
- business termsfranchising, revenue stream, board meeting, gross margin, markdown
- documentsdocument, news, email, report, letter
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- work termsboss, job, manager, career, company
- workplace englishmeeting, deadline, agenda, memo, report
contracthandshake deal
Unwritten mutual commitment
gentleman's agreement · verbal agreement · oral agreement · disagreement · misunderstanding
- verbal contractSpoken, unwritten binding promise
- defense contractorsMilitary weapons manufacturers
- union contractBinding pact between workers and management
- military contractsGovernment deals for weapons
- civilian contractorsNonmilitary workers hired by government
- general contractorsConstruction project coordinators
contraction, contracted, contractor, contracts, contracting, contractors, contractual, contractions, subcontractor