Wordnet 3.0
NOUN (1)
1.
surgical instrument that holds back the edges of a surgical incision;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Retractor \Re*tract"or\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]kt"[~e]r), n.
One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically:
(a) In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a
cartridge shell from the barrel.
(b) (Surg.) An instrument for holding apart the edges of a
wound during amputation.
(c) (Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury
by the saw during amputation.
(d) (Anat. & Zool.) A muscle serving to draw in any organ or
part. See Illust. under Phylactolaemata.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
retractor
n 1: surgical instrument that holds back the edges of a surgical
incision