Contractibility

/ˌkɒntræktɪˈbɪləti/ noun

Definition

The quality of being able to contract or be contracted; the degree to which something can shrink or be reduced.

Etymology

From 'contractible' (able to contract) + '-ity' (quality of). This technical term is used in physiology, physics, and contract law to describe the capacity for contraction.

Kelly Says

The contractibility of cardiac muscle is what separates life from death—when your heart loses the ability to contract properly, it's a medical emergency!

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