Lewis & Short

2. contractus, ūs, m. [contraho].

  1. * I. A drawing together: acinorum, a shrinking, wrinkling, Varr. R. R. 1, 68.
  2. II. Trop.
    1. A. An entering upon or transacting of an affair: rei, * Quint. 4, 2, 49.
    2. B. Jurid. t. t. (not in Cic.), a contract, agreement: contractus ultro citroque obligatio est, quam Graeci συνάλλαγμα vocant, Dig. 50, 16, 19: omnes contractus, ut emptio, venditio, locatio, conductio, societas, depositum, mutuum, et alii innumerabiles, Just. Inst. 1, 2, 2; Gai Inst. 3, 88 sqq.: stipulationum sponsionumque, Serv. Sulp. ap. Gell. 4, 4, 2; Dig. 24, 3, 23 et saep.