retract 1
/ri trakt"/ , v.t.
1. to draw back or in: to retract fangs.
v.i.
2. to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this: The blade retracts.
[ 1400-50; late ME retracten retractus, ptp. of retrahere to draw back, equiv. to re- RE- + tractus (see TRACT 1 ) ]
retract 2
— retractable, retractible , adj. — retractability, retractibility , n. — retractation /ree'trak tay"sheuhn/ , n.
/ri trakt"/ , v.t.
1. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, esp. formally or explicitly; take back.
2. to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).
v.i.
3. to draw or shrink back.
4. to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
5. to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.
[ 1535-45; retractare to reconsider, withdraw, equiv. to re- RE- + tractare to drag, pull, take in hand (freq. of trahere to pull) ]
Syn. 1, 2. deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.