retract1
[ri-trakt]
- to draw back or in: to retract fangs.
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- to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this: The blade retracts.
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Origin of retract1
retract2
[ri-trakt]
- to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, especially formally or explicitly; take back.
- to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).
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- to draw or shrink back.
- to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
- to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.
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Origin of retract2
1535–45; < Latin retractāre to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent to re- re- + tractāre to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)
Synonyms
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
denyrepealrevokereverserenouncerepudiatedisavowrenegewithdrawcancelrecantdisownrescindsuspendwelshrecallabjurerecedebackcountermandExamples from the Web for retract
Contemporary Examples
Although Mefferd later apologized for the method of her accusations, she did not retract the substance of the claims.
I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.
But when reporters asked him why he felt the need to retract the comment, he said, “So you all could stop asking me about it, OK?”
His manager, agent, and close friends begged him to retract his statement.
Editor Mark Whitaker stood by the article, but had to retract the detail about the Quran.
Historical Examples
He knew she was too much like himself ever to retract her words.
The Little ColonelAnnie Fellows Johnston
I do own myself beaten,' says she, 'and I retract my words.'
Camps, Quarters and Casual PlacesArchibald Forbes
I repeat my words: I will not "retract," I cannot "repent of them."
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)Maria Edgeworth
Some of them were sent to the Tower, but they would not retract.
History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth. Vol. II.James Anthony Froude
No, I'll retract that, and on second thought reverse that judgment.
Mixed FacesRoy Norton
retract
- (tr) to draw in (a part or appendage)a snail can retract its horns; to retract the landing gear of an aircraft
- to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified
- to go back on (a promise or agreement)
- (intr) to shrink back, as in fear
- phonetics to modify the articulation of (a vowel) by bringing the tongue back away from the lips
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Word Origin
C16: from Latin retractāre to withdraw, from tractāre to pull, from trahere to drag
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for retract
v.
early 15c., "to draw (something) back," from Old French retracter (14c.) and directly from Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere "to draw back" (see retraction). Sense of "to revoke, recant, take back" is attested from 1540s, probably a back-formation from retraction. Related: Retracted; retracting.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper