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., trans. 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 connection 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., trans. 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.
