(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If you ~ something that you have said or written, you say that you did not mean it. (FORMAL)
Mr Smith hurriedly sought to ~ the statement, but it had just been broadcast on national radio...
He’s hoping that if he makes me feel guilty, I’ll ~.
VERB: V n, V
~ion (~ions)
Miss Pearce said she expected an unqualified ~ion of his comments within twenty four hours.
= withdrawal
N-COUNT: usu sing
2.
When a part of a machine or a part of a person’s body ~s or is ~ed, it moves inwards or becomes shorter. (FORMAL)
Torn muscles ~, and lose strength, structure, and tightness.
VERB: V, also V n