protract
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong.
- Synonyms:
- continue
- Antonyms:
- curtail
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Anatomy. to extend or protrude.
-
(in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.
verb
-
to lengthen or extend (a speech, etc); prolong in time
-
(of a muscle) to draw, thrust, or extend (a part, etc) forwards
-
to plot or draw using a protractor and scale
Synonym Usage
See lengthen.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
protractedlyadverb
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overprotractverb (used with object)
-
protractiveadjective
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protractibleadjective
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unprotractedadjective
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protractednessnoun
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unprotractiveadjective
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
has protractedperfect 3rd person singular
-
have protractedperfect
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is protractingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
has been protractingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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am protractingprogressive 1st person singular
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protractssingular 3rd person
-
have been protractingperfect progressive
-
are protractingprogressive
-
protractingparticiple
Past
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had protractedperfect
-
was protractingprogressive singular
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had been protractingperfect progressive
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were protractingprogressive plural
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protractedparticiple
-
protractedsimple
Future
Etymology
Origin of protract
First recorded in 1540–50, protract is from the Latin word prōtractus (past participle of prōtrahere “to draw forth, prolong”). See pro- 1, tract 1
Explanation
To protract something is to stretch it out. If you have a disagreement with a friend that you continue for weeks and weeks, you are protracting the argument. Protract can also mean to draw a plan to scale. Basically when you protract something, you draw it out. You may remember from geometry that a protractor is a device used to draw exact angles. A protractor allows you to protract a plan for the perfect catapult — perfect to use to end a protracted battle.
Vocabulary lists containing protract
tract
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tract
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Vocabulary from Readings 6, Unit 3
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
With fillets of green parsley leaves Our foreheads shall be done up; And with song shall we Protract our spree Until the morrow's sun-up.
From Echoes from the Sabine Farm by Field, Roswell Martin
With fillets of green parsley leaves Our foreheads shall be done up, And with song shall we Protract our spree Until the morrow's sun-up.
From Hoosier Lyrics by Field, Eugene
Protract has usually an unfavorable sense, implying that the matter referred to is already unduly long, or would be so if longer continued; continue is neutral, applying equally to the desirable or the undesirable.
From English Synonyms and Antonyms With Notes on the Correct Use of Prepositions by Fernald, James Champlin
Protract the discussion, at all events, Duroc; time! time!
From Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I by Lever, Charles James
May gracious heav'n to a far distant hour Protract thy valued life!
From The Inflexible Captive A Tragedy, in Five Acts by More, Hannah
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
