HealthAugust 26, 2026

contractility

kon-trak-TIL-uh-tee

Definition

The capacity of a muscle to shorten or contract in response to a stimulus.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'contractus' (drawn together), which comes from the verb 'contrahere.' The suffix '-ility' was added to denote the capacity or quality of the action.

In the news

The article uses the term to highlight that marijuana use may negatively affect the heart's ability to contract effectively, serving as an example of its physical health risks.

The Hazards of Marijuana

Read the full article ↗

Psychology Today

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