n.
Pronunciation: - ' dro ̇ (- ə )l
Function: noun
Date: 1749
1 a : the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed b : removal from a place of deposit or investment c (1) : the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug (2) : the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug <a heroin addict going through withdrawal >
2 a : retreat or retirement especially into a more secluded or less exposed place or position b : an operation by which a military force disengages from the enemy c (1) : social or emotional detachment (2) : a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)
3 : RETRACTION , REVOCATION <threatened us with withdrawal of consent>
4 a : the act of drawing someone or something back from or out of a place or position b : COITUS INTERRUPTUS