Category:Protract

Pro*tract", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Protracted; p. pr. vb. n. Protracting.] Etym: [l. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to forth, Protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See portrait, portray.]

1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; To prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a war.

2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract A decision or duty. Shak.

3. (surv.)

Defn: to draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with Scale and protractor; to plot.

4. (zoöl.)

Defn: to extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- Opposed to retract.

Protract Pro*tract", n. Etym: [l. protractus.]

Defn: tedious continuance or delay. [obs.] Spenser.