- contact
- con|tact1 W2S3 [ˈkɔntækt US ˈka:n-] n▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(communication)¦2¦(touch)¦3¦(experience)¦4¦(person)¦5 contacts6 point of contact7¦(electrical)¦8¦(eyes)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[Date: 1600-1700; : French; Origin: Latin contactus, from the past participle of contigere; CONTINGENT1]1.) ¦(COMMUNICATION)¦[U]communication with a person, organization, country etccontact with/between▪ There is very little contact between the two tribes.▪ Few people have daily contact with mentally disabled people.be/get/stay/keep in contact (with sb)▪ We stay in contact by email.▪ We'd like to make contact with other schools in the area.▪ The children lost contact with their families (=they no longer see them because they do not know where to find them) .▪ the ship's failure to make radio contact▪ She put me in contact with an expert in the field (=she gave me their name, telephone number etc) .face-to-face/social/personal contact(=talking to someone who is with you)▪ There is little personal contact with customers.▪ staff who have direct contact with the patient▪ The town is cut off from contact with the outside world.2.) ¦(TOUCH)¦[U]when two people or things touch each othercontact with/between▪ Children need physical contact with a caring adult.▪ The disease spreads by sexual contact between infected animals.in contact with sth▪ For a second, his hand was in contact with mine.▪ When water comes into contact with air, carbon dioxide is released.on contact (with sth)▪ The bomb exploded on contact (=at the moment it touched something) .3.) ¦(EXPERIENCE)¦[U]when you meet someone or experience a particular kind of thing▪ Everyone who came into contact with Di felt better for knowing her.▪ Pat's job brings her into contact with the problems people face when they retire.4.) ¦(PERSON)¦ [C usually plural]a person you know who may be able to help or advise you▪ He has a lot of contacts in the media.▪ a worldwide network of contactsbusiness/personal contacts5.) contacts [plural]a situation in which you can communicate easily with a group, country etccontacts with/between▪ We have good contacts with the local community.▪ He goes to great lengths to maintain these contacts.▪ the establishment of diplomatic contacts6.) point of contacta) a place you go to or a person you meet when you ask an organization for helpfirst/initial point of contact▪ Primary health care teams are the first point of contact for users of the service.b) a way in which two different things are related▪ finding a point of contact between theory and practicec) the part of something where another thing touches it▪ The sting causes swelling at the point of contact.7.) ¦(ELECTRICAL)¦an electrical part that completes a ↑circuit when it touches another part8.) ¦(EYES)¦ informala contact lenscontact 2contact2 W2S3 v [T]to write to or telephone someone▪ Give the names of two people who can be contacted in an emergency.▪ Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.>contactable adj [not before noun]▪ A mobile phone makes you contactable wherever you are.contact 3contact3 adj [only before noun]1.) contact number/address/detailsa telephone number or address where someone can be found if necessary▪ If you are babysitting, make sure you have a contact number for the parents.2.) contact explosives or chemicals become active when they touch something▪ contact poisons
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.