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protractor

[ proh-trak-ter, pruh- ]
/ proʊˈtræk tər, prə- /

noun

a person or thing that protracts.
(in surveying, mathematics, etc.) an instrument having a graduated arc for plotting or measuring angles.
Anatomy. a muscle that causes a part to protrude.

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Origin of protractor

From Medieval Latin, dating back to 1605–15; see origin at protract, -tor

Words nearby protractor

protozoophage, protract, protracted, protractile, protraction, protractor, protriptyline, protrude, protruded disk, protrusile, protrusion
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for protractor

British Dictionary definitions for protractor

protractor
/ (prəˈtræktə) /

noun

an instrument for measuring or drawing angles on paper, usually a flat semicircular transparent plastic sheet graduated in degrees
a person or thing that protracts
a surgical instrument for removing a bullet from the body
anatomy a former term for extensor
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 protractor

protractor
[ prō-trăk′tər ]

n.

A muscle that extends a limb or other part.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.