protract
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protract
- /pɹəˈtɹakt/ UK
- /pɹoʊˈtɹækt/ Canada, US
- /pɹəˈtɹækt/ Canada, US
Where it comes from
From the past participle stem of Latin prōtrahō. By surface analysis, pro- + tract.
verb protracts · protracting · protracted
- To draw out; to extend, especially in duration. Doubtless he shrives this woman to her smock; Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech.
- To use a protractor.
- To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot. This is a synopsis of our marches, which, protracted on Burckhardt’s map, gives an error of ten miles.
- To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer. to protract a decision or duty
- To extend; to protrude. A cat can protract and retract its claws.