[ad. mod.F. contractilité, from contractile: see prec. and -ITY.] The quality or property of being contractile; capability of contracting; chiefly in Phys. as the characteristic property of muscular tissue, etc.
1799. Beddoes, Contrib. Phys. & Med. Knowledge, 535. The contractility of the lymphatic vessels.
1836. Todd, Cycl. Anat., I. 101/2. The contractility of the pupil.
1879. Carpenter, Mental Phys., I. ii. § 30. The contractility possessed by the Muscles.
