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protract

[ proh-trakt, pruh- ]
/ proʊˈtrækt, prə- /
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See synonyms for: protract / protracted 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 prōtractus (past participle of prōtrahere “to draw forth, prolong”). See pro-1, tract1

synonym study for protract

1. See lengthen.

OTHER WORDS FROM protract

Words nearby protract

protozoiasis, protozoicide, protozoology, protozoon, protozoophage, protract, protracted, protractile, protraction, protractor, protriptyline
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to protract

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

How to use protract in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for protract

protract
/ (prəˈtrækt) /
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 prōtrahere 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

Medical definitions for protract

protract
[ prō-trăkt′ ]
v.
To extend or protrude a body part.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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