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protract

[ proh-trakt, pruh- ]
/ proʊˈtrækt, prə- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR protract 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

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. 2020

Words related to protracted

lengthy, enduring, drawn-out, sustained, extensive, lingering, continued, recurrent, continuous, continuing, persistent, continual, running, stretch, prolonged, towering, elongate, dragging, elongated, lasting

Example sentences from the Web for protracted

British Dictionary definitions for protracted (1 of 2)

protracted
/ (prəˈtræktɪd) /

adjective

extended or lengthened in time; prolongeda protracted legal battle

Derived forms of protracted

protractedly, adverbprotractedness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for protracted (2 of 2)

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 protracted

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.