Emily Dickinson Lexicon

contract (-ing, -s), v. [L. con- + trahěre, draw together.] (webplay: party, proof, right).

1. Shrink; constrict; squeeze; limit; compress; narrow; reduce; make smaller; diminish in extent.
2. Close; shrink; become smaller; have its parts drawn together.

contracting, verbal adj. [(contract + -ing); see contract, v.]

Cramping; restrictive; limiting; constraining; squeezing.

contradict, v. [L. contrādīcere, to speak against.]

Oppose; negate; work against; be directly contrary to.

contrast, n. [Fr. contraste < It. contrasto, contention, opposition.] (webplay: difference, impudence, kind, pictures, trees).

Comparison; demonstration of opposing qualities; placing of opposite things in view, usually to show the superiority of one of them in comparison to the other.

contrast (-ed, -ing), v. [Sp., Port. contrastar, to resist, withstand, strive, debate, quarrel.]

1. Compare; set in opposition similar things in order to highlight the differences.
2. Compare with; examine dissimilar things with the purpose of demonstrating the superiority of one over the other.

contrition, n. [OFr contriciun.]

Remorse; penitence; repentance; sorrow for what one has done; grief of heart for a wrong committed accompanied by a sincere desire to make restitution if possible.

contrive (-s), v. [OFr controve-r (con, together + trover, to find) < L. turbāre, disturb, stir up, wake up.]

Plot; plan; construct a scheme in one's mind with ingenuity and cleverness.

control, n. [Fr. contrôle, copy of a roll (of account, etc.), controlling or overseeing; see contra, adv.] (webplay: act, soul).

Power; reign; command; method or means of restraint; area of influence; portion over which one has authority; function of directing and regulating.

control (-led), v. [Fr. contrôler; see control, n.] (webplay: command, force, opposition, superior).

1. Command; rule; govern; direct; regulate; keep in check; have in one's power; have authority over; exercise restraint or direction upon the free action of.
2. Win; gain ownership of; rule.

controvertible, n. [L. controvertere, to turn against.]

Disputable, questionable or in any way uncertain piece of information; data that can be debated; something not so evident as to exclude difference of opinion.