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

  1. 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.
  2. To use a protractor.
  3. 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.
  4. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer. to protract a decision or duty
  5. To extend; to protrude. A cat can protract and retract its claws.

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