contrahitur

Contrahitur is a Latin verb form meaning “is drawn together” or “is contracted.” It is the third-person singular present passive indicative of the verb contrahere, whose core sense is to pull or draw something toward itself, or to tighten and bring parts closer.

Etymology and morphology: The form combines the prefix con- (together) with trahere (to draw). In the present passive indicative, the paradigm is contrahor, contraheris, contrahitur, contrahimur, contrahimini, contrahuntur. Thus contrahitur specifically marks a singular subject in the present tense and passive voice.

Usage: In Latin texts, contrahitur is used to describe processes that involve drawing together, tightening, or constriction. It can apply to physical phenomena, such as anatomical or physiological actions, as well as metaphorical or abstract contractions. For example, Vena contrahitur can be rendered as “the vein is drawn together” or “the vein contracts,” while Venae contrahuntur would mean “the veins are drawn together” or “the veins contract.” In translation, contrahitur is commonly conveyed with is contracted or is drawn inward, depending on context.

Modern frequency and scope: Contrahitur appears primarily in classical or medical Latin and in scholarly discussions of Latin grammar. It is not used as an English word outside such contexts; rather, it is cited as a form of contrahere for linguistic analysis or translation. Its relevance rests in illustrating Latin passive voice and the semantics of drawing or tightening actions in scientific and literary texts.