uncontracted
|un-con-tract-ed|
/ˌʌnkənˈtræktɪd/
not contracted
Etymology
'uncontracted' is formed in Modern English from the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') + 'contracted' (the past participle/adjective form of 'contract').
'contracted' comes from Latin 'contractus', the past participle of 'contrahere' (com- 'together' + trahere 'to draw'), via Old French/Middle English forms such as 'contracten' and later English 'contract' + past/adjective suffix '-ed'; 'un-' is from Old English 'un-' used to form negatives, producing 'uncontracted' in modern usage.
Originally related to the idea of being 'drawn together' or 'made smaller' (from Latin roots), the negative form 'uncontracted' developed to mean 'not drawn together' and by extension 'not shortened/abbreviated' or 'not under contract' in different contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not expressed in a contracted (shortened or abbreviated) form; written or spoken in full (e.g., 'do not' rather than 'don't').
Use the uncontracted form 'do not' in formal writing.
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Adjective 2
not physically contracted or tightened; relaxed or not drawn together (used of muscles or tissues).
After the treatment the muscle remained uncontracted and relaxed.
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Last updated: 2025/12/10 01:43