retract Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
resile; abjure; forswear; recant.
- He retracted his earlier statements about his religion
- She abjured her beliefs
verb pull away from a source of disgust or fear
shrink back.
verb use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
pull back; draw back.
verb pull inward or towards a center
draw in.
- The pilot drew in the landing gear
- The cat retracted his claws

F. rétracter, L. retractare, retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See Retreat.

imperfect & past participle Retracted; present participle & verbal noun Retracting

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

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