rə̇.ˈtrakshən, rē.ˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English retraccioun, from Middle French retraction, from Latin retraction-, retractio hesitation, refusal, from retractus (past participle of retrahere to draw back) + -ion-, -io -ion
1. : an act of withdrawing a declaration, accusation, promise : recantation , revocation , recall ; also : a statement made by one retracting
a retraction of a charge or decree
insist upon a retraction
2. : an act of retracting or drawing back or in : a state of being retracted : ability to retract
the retraction of claws
the retraction of rubber … the property which causes rubber to return to its original shape — Science
retraction of the oceans from the polar areas — Journal of Geology
fear of life and retraction from its exigencies and challenges — John Dewey
print a retraction of errors — Lister Hill