RETRACTIBLE
verb (used with object)
1.
to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, especially formally or explicitly; take back.
2.
to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).
verb (used without object)
3.
to draw or shrink back.
4.
to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
5.
to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.
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Retractible
is always a great word to know.
So is ninnyhammer. Does it mean:
| a fool or simpleton; ninny. |
| a chattering or flighty, light-headed person. |
Origin:
1535–45; < Latin retractāre to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent to re- re- + tractāre to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)
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
trækˈteɪ un·re·tract·a·ble, adjective
Synonyms
1, 2. deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.
1, 2. deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
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Link To retractible
Collins
World English Dictionary
retract (rɪˈtrækt) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —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 | |
| 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
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
retract
early 15c., "to draw (something) back;" see retraction. Sense of "to revoke, withdraw" is attested from 1540s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Nearby Words
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