† contracˈtation Obs.
Also 6–7 contrat-.
[a. F. contractation (16th c.), n. of action from contracter to contract, make engagements, etc.]
1. Mutual dealing, bargaining, trading.
| 1555 [see b]. 1578 T. N. tr. Conq. W. India 65 An harbour was not sufficient for his Navie and contratation. 1622 R. Hawkins Voy. S. Sea (1847) 144 In this iland of Mocha we had communication and contratation with the inhabitants. 1648 Gage West Ind. xii. (1655) 55 But for Contractation it is one of the richest Cities in the World. 1658 Phillips, Contractation, Contratation. |
b. contractation-house: an exchange or treasury in Seville where contracts were made in connexion with the West Indian trade.
| 1555 Eden Decades 175 Siuile where yowre maiestie haue yowre house of contractation for those partes. [Ibid. Pref. (Arb. 50), A house in the citie of Siuile cauled the house of the contractes of India.] 1578 T. N. tr. Conq. W. India Pref. 3, I have in the Contractation house in the citie of Sevill..the summe of thirtie thousand Duckets. 1596 Raleigh Discov. Gviana 99, I doubt not but to see in London a Contratation house of more receipt for Guiana, than there is now in Ciuill for the West indies. 1725 Lond. Gaz. No. 6409/1 Instances made by the Contractation-House and the Traders of Seville. |
2. The action of contracting or acquiring. rare.
| 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 909 (R.) The contractation and apprehension of one and the same quality. |