retraction
NounUS/riˈtrækʃən/3 syllables
Open English WordNet
Noun (2)
- a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertionSynonyms: abjurationrecantationType of disavowal, disclaimerKinds withdrawal, backdown
- the act of pulling or holding or drawing a part back“the retraction of the landing gear”“retraction of the foreskin”Type of motion, movement
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Re·trac′tion (rē-trāk′shŭn), noun
Origin: Cf. F. rétraction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.
1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws.
2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation.
Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or concessions.— Portraiture of Charles I.
3. Physiology (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew. (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54