Retract

rē-trakt′, v.t. to retrace or draw back: to recall: to recant.— v.i. to take back what has been said or granted.— adjs. Retrac′table , Retrac′tible , capable of being retracted or recalled.— n. Retractā′tion .— p.adj. Retrac′ted ( her. ), couped by a line diagonal to the main direction: ( bot. ) bent back.— adj. Retrac′tile , that may be drawn back, as claws.— n. Retrac′tion , act of retracting or drawing back: recantation.— adj. Retrac′tive , able or ready to retract.— adv. Retrac′tively .— n. Retrac′tor , one who, or that which, retracts or draws back: in breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge-shell from the barrel: ( surg. ) an instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during operation: a bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw: ( zool. ) a muscle serving to draw in any part. [Fr.,—L. retrahĕre , retractum — re- , back, trahĕre , to draw.]