Retract — Defs

01 v. t. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.

imp. & p. p. Retracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retracting

1.
To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.
2.
To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.
“I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.” — Bp. Stillingfleet.
3.
To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke.[Obs.]

Syn. To recall; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.

02 v. i. To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.

1.
To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.
2.
To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.
“She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, Consents, retracts, advances, and then files.” — Granville.

03 n. The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.