retractile

[ ri-trak-til ]
/ rɪˈtræk tɪl /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR retractile ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective Zoology.

capable of being drawn back or in, as the head of a tortoise; exhibiting the power of retraction.

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Origin of retractile

First recorded in 1770–80; retract1 + -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM retractile

re·trac·til·i·ty [ree-trak-til-i-tee], /ˌri trækˈtɪl ɪ ti/, nounnon·re·trac·tile, adjectivenon·re·trac·til·i·ty, nounsub·re·trac·tile, adjective

Words nearby retractile

retortion, retouch, retox, retrace, retract, retractile, retraction, retraction nystagmus, retractive, retractor, retrain
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to retractile

tentacle, paw, fingernail, talon, nipper, crook, hook, barb, spur, unguis, clapperclaw, fang, manus, grapnel, grappler, cant hook, ungula

Example sentences from the Web for retractile

British Dictionary definitions for retractile

retractile
/ (rɪˈtræktaɪl) /

adjective

capable of being drawn inthe retractile claws of a cat

Derived forms of retractile

retractility (ˌriːtrækˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun
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 retractile

retractile
[ rĭ-trăk′tĭl, -tīl′ ]

adj.

That can be drawn back or in, as the claws of a cat.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.