retractor

[ ri-trak-ter ]
/ rɪˈtræk tər /

noun

a person or thing that retracts.
Anatomy. a muscle that retracts an organ or protruded part.
Surgery. an instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.
a mechanism, device, or the like that regulates retraction: to adjust the retractor on a seat belt.

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Origin of retractor

First recorded in 1830–40; retract1 + -or2

Words nearby retractor

retract, retractile, retraction, retraction nystagmus, retractive, retractor, retrain, retrainee, retral, retread, retreat
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for retractor

British Dictionary definitions for retractor

retractor
/ (rɪˈtræktə) /

noun

anatomy any of various muscles that retract an organ or part
surgery an instrument for holding back the edges of a surgical incision or organ or part
a person or thing that retracts
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 retractor

retractor
[ rĭ-trăk′tər ]

n.

A surgical instrument used to hold back organs or the edges of an incision.
A muscle, such as a flexor, that retracts an organ or a part.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.