contractor English · revision 8018

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1548|origins=la contraho}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /kənˈtræk.tə/, /ˈkɒn.træk.tə/, US /ˈkɑːn.træk.tɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|contractor|t=one who makes a contract]],^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) an agent noun from the past participle stem of Latin [[m|la|contraho|alt=contrahere|t=to draw together; to make a bargain]] (see [[contract]]),^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from com-, together, and trahere, to draw (see [[tract]]).^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who enters into a contract: 1548.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A muscle that contracts a part is from 1682 (the 1680s).^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) One who undertakes to supply goods or do work at a fixed price is from 1724,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) especially in building.^(Collins 2023) In bridge the contractor is the declarer.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1548 – a party to a contract.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1682 – a contracting muscle.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1724 – a supplier at a fixed price.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person or firm that agrees to supply materials or do work at a fixed price, especially in [[construction]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something that contracts, especially a [[muscle]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(law)'' A party to a [[contract]].^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[subcontractor]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[contract]]

+ * [[contraction]]

+ * [[tract]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}