Hypertext Webster Gateway: "protract"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Protract \Pro*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protracted}; p. pr.
vb. n. {Protracting}.] [L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to
forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See
{Portrait}, {Portray}.]
1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to
continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to
protract a war.
2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to
protract a decision or duty. --Shak.
3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and
angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4. (Zo["o]l.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can
protract its claws; -- opposed to {retract}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Protract \Pro*tract"\, n. [L. protractus.]
Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] --Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
protract
v : lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer: "We prolonged
our stay"; "She extended her visit by another day"; "The
meeting was drawn out until midnight" [syn: {prolong}, {extend},
{draw out}]
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