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Showing results for retractor. Search instead for retractors.

retractor

American  
[ri-trak-ter] / rɪˈtræk tər /

noun

  1. a person or thing that retracts.

  2. Anatomy. a muscle that retracts an organ or protruded part.

  3. Surgery. an instrument or appliance for drawing back an impeding part, as the edge of an incision.

  4. a mechanism, device, or the like that regulates retraction.

    to adjust the retractor on a seat belt.


retractor British  
/ rɪˈtræktə /

noun

  1. anatomy any of various muscles that retract an organ or part

  2. surgery an instrument for holding back the edges of a surgical incision or organ or part

  3. 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

Etymology

Origin of retractor

First recorded in 1830–40; retract 1 + -or 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Clip: Okay I need a saw and a retractor.

From Scientific American Sep. 21, 2023

"Staff involved have no explanation for how the retractor ended up in the abdominal cavity, or why it was not identified prior to closure," she said.

From BBC Sep. 5, 2023

They scrape off letters and use temporary paper tags and even retractor mechanisms.

From Seattle Times Dec. 18, 2022

It was the juxtaposition between my previous rotation, which was vascular surgery, where you’re standing for like six-hour cases, holding the retractor and you have really sick patients.

From Washington Post Jul. 11, 2022

“Push the green retractor butt—” He was cut off when the Berg’s engines roared to a higher pitch and the vehicle vaulted into the air.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

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