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retract

[ri-trakt]

Origin

verb (used with object)

to draw back or in: to retract fangs.

verb (used without object)

to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this: The blade retracts.

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Retract is a GRE word you need to know.

So is pro forma. Does it mean:

according to form; prescribing a set form or procedure

burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; having or involving obligations that outweigh the advantages

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Origin:
1400–50; late Middle English retracten < Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere to draw back, equivalent to re- re- + tractus (see tract¹)

Dictionary.com Unabridged

verb (used with object)

to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, especially formally or explicitly; take back.

to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).

verb (used without object)

to draw or shrink back.

to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.

to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.

Origin:
1535–45; < Latin retractāre to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent to re- re- + tractāre to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)

Related forms

re·tract·a·ble, re·tract·i·ble, adjective

re·tract·a·bil·i·ty, re·tract·i·bil·i·ty, noun

re·trac·ta·tion

[ree-trak-tey-shuhn] , noun

un·re·tract·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms
1, 2. deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Link To retract

Collins

World English Dictionary

retract (rɪˈtrækt)

—vb
1.	(tr) to draw in (a part or appendage): a snail can retract its horns; to retract the landing gear of an aircraft
2.	to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified
3.	to go back on (a promise or agreement)
4.	(intr) to shrink back, as in fear
5.	phonetics to modify the articulation of (a vowel) by bringing the tongue back away from the lips

[C16: from Latin retractāre to withdraw, from tractāre to pull, from trahere to drag]

re'tractable

—*adj*

re'tractible

—*adj*

retracta'bility

—n

retractibility

—n

retractation

—n

re'tractive

—*adj*

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

retract

early 15c., "to draw (something) back;" see retraction. Sense of "to revoke, withdraw" is attested from 1540s.

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Related Words

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Matching Quote

"I retract nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I repeat the declaration made a year ago, that "while I remain in my present position I shall not attempt to retract or modify the emancipation proclamation, nor shall I return to slavery any person who is free by the terms of that proclamation, or by any of the Acts of Congress." If the people should, by whatever mode or means, make it an Executive duty to re-enslave such persons, another, and not I, must be their instrument to perform it."

-Abraham Lincoln

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