contractile

[ kuhn-trak-tl, -til ]

adjective

1. capable of contracting or causing contraction.

contractile

/ kənˈtræktaɪl; ˌkɒntrækˈtɪlɪtɪ /

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

Example Sentences

Now, researchers have gotten up-close views of these syringes, technically known as contractile injection systems, from a type of cyanobacteria and a marine bacterium.

From Science News

But, “just by looking at the genes, it’s quite hard to predict how these contractile injection systems work,” says Gregor Weiss, a cellular structural biologist at ETH Zurich.

From Science News

Waste nitrogenous products formed within the cell when work is done are passed out by means of the contractile vacuole.

From Project Gutenberg

In another one-celled animal called vorticella, part of the cell has become elongated and is contractile.

From Project Gutenberg

The body of the Uterus is formed of a very dense, gray colored, muscular substance, possessing astonishing contractile power.

From Project Gutenberg

The supple and contractile segments of the chrysalis serve for the limbs which are wanting to it.

From Project Gutenberg

Rostrif′era, a suborder of gasteropods, with contractile rostrum or snout.

From Project Gutenberg