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Short "hint"

n. - The act of decreasing (something) in size or volume or quantity or scope; (physiology) a shortening or tensing of a part or organ (especially of a muscle or muscle fiber); A word formed from two or more words by omitting or combining some sounds.

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Usage examples (38)
  • "`won't' is a contraction of `will not'
  • "`o'clock' is a contraction of `of the clock'
  • The contraction of a gas on cooling
  • ÂÂThe contraction is short for "He has," which makes the "got" redundant, as "He has no fear" is perfectly acceptable.
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