retract

Verb
Synonyms: abjurerecantforswearresileshrink backpull backdraw backdraw in

WordNet 3.0

Verb (4)

  1. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure“He retracted his earlier statements about his religion”“She abjured her beliefs”Synonyms: abjurerecantforswearresile
  2. pull away from a source of disgust or fearSynonyms: shrink back
  3. use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)Synonyms: pull backdraw back
  4. pull inward or towards a center“The pilot drew in the landing gear”“The cat retracted his claws”Synonyms: draw in
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Retract \Re*tract"\, n. (Far.) The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe. [1913 Webster]
Retract \Re*tract"\, v. i.

1.To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation. [1913 Webster]

2.To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration. [1913 Webster]

She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, Consents, retracts, advances, and then files.— Granville.[1913 Webster]
Retract \Re*tract"\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]kt"), 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. [1913 Webster]

2.To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion. [1913 Webster]

I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.— Bp. Stillingfleet.[1913 Webster]

3.To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. [Obs.] --Woodward. [1913 Webster]

Syn: To recall; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown. [1913 Webster]

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