Contract Meaning
Contract Definition & Usage
A formal agreement between two or more parties, typically in writing, which is legally binding.
Examples
- "The company signed a contract with a new supplier for a two-year term."
- "They entered into a contract to buy the property by the end of the month."
- "The workers' contract includes healthcare benefits and vacation time."
- "I reviewed the terms of the contract before signing it."
- "The contract specifies that payment is due in 30 days after delivery."
A process of becoming smaller or shorter in size, often used in the context of muscle or physical contraction.
Examples
- "After a long workout, the muscles contract as part of the recovery process."
- "The cold weather caused the metal to contract, making the pipes burst."
- "The heart contracts to pump blood throughout the body."
- "When the muscle contracts, it pulls on the bones, creating movement."
- "The fabric contracts slightly after washing."
To decrease in size, become tighter, or shorten, especially due to external conditions.
Examples
- "The metal contracted as it cooled, causing the gap to close."
- "Her pupils contracted in response to the bright light."
- "The market contracted during the economic downturn."
- "He contracted the muscles in his arm to lift the heavy weight."
- "The contract stipulates that the company will contract out some of its services."
Cultural Context
The word 'contract' comes from the Latin word 'contractus', meaning 'to draw together'. Historically, contracts have been used to formalize agreements in law, trade, and business. In modern contexts, contracts are essential to ensure that all parties involved are legally bound to fulfill their promises or obligations.
The Contract that Changed Everything
Story
The Contract that Changed Everything
In a small town nestled by the coast, a young lawyer named Clara had just started her practice. Her first big case was a contract dispute between a fisherman, Tom, and a local business owner, Mrs. Grey. Tom had been supplying fresh seafood to Mrs. Grey’s restaurant for years, but when the market prices began to rise, Mrs. Grey wanted to renegotiate the terms of their contract. Clara studied the contract carefully. It was clear that the agreement had a clause about price adjustments in response to market changes, but it was vague about how much the price could be adjusted. Mrs. Grey argued that the contract allowed her to cut prices by 10%, while Tom believed the adjustment should not exceed 5%. The tension between them was palpable, and Clara knew that her next move could either resolve or escalate the situation. Meanwhile, Tom was feeling the strain of his workload. He had been contracting his muscles too much while working on the boats, and his body was showing signs of fatigue. As the dispute dragged on, he could feel his muscles contract with every movement, and his stress levels soared. During a pivotal meeting, Clara presented both sides of the argument. She explained how the contract was indeed valid, but it needed some clarification. ‘The contract is not the problem,’ she said, ‘but rather the way it was interpreted. You both need to contract your positions and find middle ground.’ Tom, worn out from both the physical and emotional strain, nodded in agreement. He and Mrs. Grey came to an understanding and agreed to a compromise. After the resolution, Tom felt a sense of relief. His muscles, which had been contracting in stress, slowly began to loosen as he allowed himself to relax. The contract dispute was finally over, and he felt lighter, both physically and mentally. The town soon buzzed with talk of the outcome, and Clara’s reputation as a sharp lawyer spread like wildfire. In the end, Clara had learned that sometimes, whether in law or life, you have to contract your position in order to see the bigger picture and move forward.
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