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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

Words nearby protract

protoxylem, Protozoa, protozoan, protozoology, protozoon, protract, protracted, protractile, protraction, protractor, protriptyline
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to protract

prolong, put off, continue, cool, defer, delay, draw, elongate, lengthen, pad, postpone, procrastinate, stall, stretch, drag on, drag out, hold off, hold up, prolongate, put on hold

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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