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protract

[ proh-trakt, pruh- ]
/ proʊˈtrĂŠkt, prə- /
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See synonyms for: protract / protracted / protracting on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong.
Anatomy. to extend or protrude.
(in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.
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Origin of protract

First recorded in 1540–50, protract is from the Latin word prƍtractus (past participle of prƍtrahere “to draw forth, prolong”). See pro-1, tract1

synonym study for protract

1. See lengthen.

OTHER WORDS FROM protract

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use protract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for protract

protract
/ (prəˈtrékt) /

verb (tr)
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

Derived forms of protract

protractive, adjective

Word Origin for protract

C16: from Latin prƍtrahere to prolong, from pro- 1 + trahere to drag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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