noun one who, or that which, retracts.
2. retractor ·noun an instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during amputation.
3. retractor ·noun a bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw during amputation.
4. retractor ·noun in breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel.
5. retractor ·noun a muscle serving to draw in any organ or part. ·see ·illust. under phylactolaemata.