Word Frequency
retract (rɪˈtrækt
)
Definitions
verb
- 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
Derived Forms
reˈtractable, reˈtractible adjectivereˌtractaˈbility, reˌtractibility noun
retractation (ˌriːtrækˈteɪʃən
) noun
) nounreˈtractive adjective
Word Origin
C16: from Latin retractāre to withdraw, from tractāre to pull, from trahere to dragTranslations for 'retract'
- British English: retract If you retract something that you have said or written, you say that you did not mean it. VERBHe hurriedly sought to retract the statement, but it had just been broadcast on national radio.He's hoping that if he makes me feel guilty, I'll retract.
- Brazilian Portuguese: retratar
- Chinese: 收回
- European Spanish: retirar
- French: rétracter
- German: zurücknehmen
- Italian: ritrattare
- Japanese: 引っ込める/引っ込む
- Korean: 수축하다
- Portuguese: retratar
- Spanish: retirar
Example Sentences Including 'retract'
As it takes to water the wheels retract and a jet unit propels the machine.New Zealand Herald (2003)
For what he's done, he doesn't just retract his evidence and walk back to us like nothing's different.Field of Blood
He saw a long elegant paw flash out and retract , holding some tiny rodent.HIDING FROM THE LIGHT
I hit the Amphibian Mode button and my car's wheels retract.Sun, News of the World (2004)
If it is not showing any signs of beginning to retract , his foreskin may be truly tight and he may need treatment.Times, Sunday Times (2002)
Jack flipped the undercarriage switch to retract the wheels.Hope Has Wings
Singh and three others with legal action if they do not retract their statements.Globe and Mail (2005)
You then retract the spring and wait for another ball to appear before you fire it.British Medical Journal (2002)
`But you can ram it into your target's spinal cord from behind, retract the needle and walk on.Cover Story
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