con|sum|mate /kɒ nsəme I t/ (consummates , consummating , consummated ) The adjective is pronounced /kɒ nsʌmət/. The verb is pronounced /kɒ nsəme I t/. 1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] You use consummate to describe someone who is extremely skilful. [FORMAL ] □ He acted the part with consummate skill. □ Those familiar with Sanders call him a consummate politician.
2 VERB If two people consummate a marriage or relationship, they make it complete by having sex. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] They consummated their passion only after many hesitations and delays.
con|sump|tion /kənsʌ mpʃ ə n/
1 N‑UNCOUNT The consumption of fuel or natural resources is the amount of them that is used or the act of using them. □ The laws have led to a reduction in fuel consumption in the U.S. □ [+ of ] …a tax on the consumption of non-renewable energy resources.
2 N‑UNCOUNT The consumption of food or drink is the act of eating or drinking something, or the amount that is eaten or drunk. [FORMAL ] □ Most of the wine was unfit for human consumption. □ [+ of ] The average daily consumption of fruit and vegetables is around 200 grams.
3 N‑UNCOUNT Consumption is the act of buying and using things. □ Recycling the waste from our increased consumption is better than burning it.
4 → see also conspicuous consumption
con|sump|tive /kənsʌ mpt I v/ ADJ A consumptive person suffers from tuberculosis . [OLD-FASHIONED ]
cont. Cont. is an abbreviation for 'continued', which is used at the bottom of a page to indicate that a letter or text continues on another page.
con|tact ◆◆◇ /kɒ ntækt/ (contacts , contacting , contacted )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Contact involves meeting or communicating with someone, especially regularly. □ [+ with ] Opposition leaders are denying any contact with the rebels. □ [+ between ] He forbade contacts between directors and executives outside his presence.
2 PHRASE If you are in contact with someone, you regularly meet them or communicate with them. □ [+ with ] He was in direct contact with the kidnappers. □ We do keep in contact.
3 VERB If you contact someone, you telephone them, write to them, or go to see them in order to tell or ask them something. □ [V n] Contact the Tourist Information Bureau for further details. □ [V n] When she first contacted me, Frances was upset.
4 ADJ [ADJ n] Your contact details or number are information such as a telephone number where you can be contacted. □ You must leave your full name and contact details when you phone.
5 N‑UNCOUNT If you come into contact with someone or something, you meet that person or thing in the course of your work or other activities. □ The college has brought me into contact with western ideas.
6 PHRASE If you make contact with someone, you find out where they are and talk or write to them. □ Then, after she had become famous, he tried to make contact with her.
7 PHRASE If you lose contact with someone who you have been friendly with, you no longer see them, speak to them, or write to them. □ Though they all live nearby, I lost contact with them really quickly. □ Mother and son lost contact when Nicholas was in his early twenties.
8 N‑UNCOUNT [oft in/into N with n] When people or things are in contact , they are touching each other. □ They compared how these organisms behaved when left in contact with different materials. □ The cry occurs when air is brought into contact with the baby's larynx. □ There was no physical contact, nor did I want any.
9 N‑UNCOUNT Radio contact is communication by means of radio. □ [+ with ] The plane lost contact with the control tower shortly after take-off.
10 N‑COUNT A contact is someone you know in an organization or profession who helps you or gives you information. □ Their contact in the United States Embassy was called Phil.
11 to make eye contact → see eye
co n|tact lens (contact lenses ) N‑COUNT [usu pl] Contact lenses are small plastic lenses that you put on the surface of your eyes to help you see better, instead of wearing glasses.
con|tact|less /kɒ ntæktl I s/ ADJ A contactless credit card or payment system uses technology that recognizes electronic data, and does not require the customer's signature or personal identification number. □ The new system is designed to provide contactless travel cards for use on trains and buses.
con|ta|gion /kənte I dʒ ə n/ N‑UNCOUNT Contagion is the spreading of a particular disease by someone touching another person who is already affected by the disease. □ They have been reluctant to admit AIDS patients, in part because of unfounded fears of contagion.
con|ta|gious /kənte I dʒəs/
1 ADJ A disease that is contagious can be caught by touching people or things that are infected with it. Compare infectious . □ …a highly contagious disease of the lungs.
2 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] A feeling or attitude that is contagious spreads quickly among a group of people. □ Antonio has a contagious enthusiasm for the beautiful aspect of food.
con|tain ◆◆◇ /kənte I n/ (contains , containing , contained )
1 VERB [no cont] If something such as a box, bag, room, or place contains things, those things are inside it. □ [V n] The bag contained a Christmas card. □ [V n] Factory shops contain a wide range of cheap furnishings. □ [V n] The 77,000-acre estate contains five of the highest peaks in Scotland.
2 VERB [no cont] If a substance contains something, that thing is a part of it. □ [V n] Most of that old paint contains lead, which is hazardous if ingested.