Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CON'TRACT, n.

1. An agreement or covenant between two or more persons, in which each party binds himself to do or forbear some act, and each requires a right to what the other promises; a mutual promise upon lawful consideration or cause, which binds the parties to a performance; a bargain; a compact. Contracts are executory or executed. – Sup. Court, Cranch's Rep.
2. The act by which a man and woman are betrothed, each to the other. – Shak.
3. The writing which contains the agreement of parties with the terms and conditions, and which serves as a proof of the obligation.