Hypertext Webster Gateway: "retract"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Retract \Re*tract"\, v. i.
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.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Retract \Re*tract"\, n. (Far.)
The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Retract \Re*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Retracted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Retracting}.] [F. r['e]tracter, L. retractare,
retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr.
retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See {Retreat}.]
1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can
retract its claws; to retract a muscle.

2. Ti 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.] --Woodward.

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

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Retract \Re*tract"\, n.
Retreat. [Obs.] --Bacon.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

retract
v 1: reject; "He retracted his earlier statements about his
beliefs" [syn: {abjure}, {recant}, {forswear}, {resile}]
2: shrink back, as in fear [syn: {shrink back}]
3: use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound
or an organ) [syn: {pull back}, {draw back}]
4: pull inward or towards a center; "The pilot drew in the
landing gear"; "The cat retracted his claws" [syn: {draw
in}]


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