protract

[proh-trakt, pruh-]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong.

   Synonyms: continue
   Antonyms: curtail

2. Anatomy.,  to extend or protrude.

3. (in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.

protract

/ prəˈtrækt /

verb

1. to lengthen or extend (a speech, etc); prolong in time

2. (of a muscle) to draw, thrust, or extend (a part, etc) forwards

3. to plot or draw using a protractor and scale

Other Word Forms

• protractedly adverb
• protractedness noun
• protractible adjective
• protractive adjective
• overprotract verb (used with object)
• unprotracted adjective
• unprotractive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of protract¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of protract¹

C16: from Latin prōtrahere to prolong, from _pro- ¹ + trahere to drag

Synonym Study

See lengthen.

Example Sentences

LFB scaled up its operation after originally deploying 70 firefighters, describing it as a "protracted incident", adding crews would be "carrying out firefighting operations throughout the day".

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In other cases, agreements ahead of time can avoid protracted legal fights.

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It comes a week after US investment group RedBird Capital Partners abruptly abandoned its takeover, reigniting uncertainty over the paper's future and extending a protracted sale marked by government intervenion.

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The collapse of the deal is the latest twist in a protracted tussle for control of The Telegraph, a politically influential paper with strong ties to Britain’s Conservative Party.

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The upgrade comes as Infineon seeks to turn the page on a protracted downturn in demand for less sophisticated chips used in cars, industrial machinery and consumer electronics.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• prolong 
• put off