contractile

[ kuhn-trak-tl, -til ]

adjective

1. capable of contracting or causing contraction.

contractile

/ ˌkɒntrækˈtɪlɪtɪ; kənˈtræktaɪl /

adjective

1. having the power to contract or to cause contraction

Derived Forms

• contractility, noun

Other Words From

• con·trac·til·i·ty [kon-trak-, til, -i-tee], noun
• un·con·trac·tile adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of contractile¹

First recorded in 1700–10; contract + -ile