[f. as prec. + -IST.] One who advocates contraction, esp. of the paper currency: opposed to inflationist or expansionist.
1866. Philadelphia Inquirer, 20 April, 3/3. They have now become violent contractionists, and insist that it is the immediate and imperative duty of Secretary McCulloch to convert all the national loans into long bonds bearing but 5 per cent. interest.
1881. N. Y. Nation, XXXII. 160. Whether the new Secretary [of the Treasury] … would be an expansionist or a contractionist.
