/ri trak"teuhr/ , n.
1. a person or thing that retracts.
2. Anat. a muscle that retracts an organ or protruded part.
3. Surg. an instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.
4. a mechanism, device, or the like that regulates retraction: to adjust the retractor on a seat belt.
[ 1830-40; RETRACT 1 + -OR 2 ]