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retraction

 - 6 dictionary results

re⋅trac⋅tion

  [ri-trak-shuhn]
Use retraction in a Sentence
–noun
1. the act of retracting or the state of being retracted.
2. withdrawal of a promise, statement, opinion, etc.: His retraction of the libel came too late.
3. retractile power.
Origin:
1350–1400; ME retraccioun < L retractiōn- (s. of retractiō), equiv. to L retract(us) (see retract 1 ) + -iōn- -ion
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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re·trac·tion   (rĭ-trāk'shən)   
n.  

  1. The act of retracting or the state of being retracted.

    1. The act of recanting or disavowing a previously held statement or belief.

    2. A formal statement of disavowal.

    3. Something recanted or disavowed.

  3. The power of drawing back or of being drawn back.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

retraction 
c.1386, from L. retractionem (nom. retractio), from L. retractus, pp. of retractare "revoke, cancel," from re- "back" + tractere "draw violently," frequentative of trahere "to draw" (see tract (1)). Originally the title of a book by St. Augustine, correcting his former writings. Meaning "recantation of opinion with admission of error" is from 1548. Retract first attested 1432, "to draw (something) back;" sense of "to revoke, withdraw" is attested from 1545.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: re·trac·tion
Pronunciation: ri-'trak-sh&n
Function: noun
: an act of taking back or withdrawing <retraction of a confession> retraction of the defamatory statement>
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: re·trac·tion
Pronunciation: ri-'trak-sh&n
Function: noun
: an act or instance of retracting; specifically : backward or inward movement of an organ or part <retraction of the nipple or skin overlying the tumor —Journal of the American Medical Association>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

retraction re·trac·tion (rĭ-trāk'shən)
n.

  1. The act of drawing back or in; shrinking.

  2. The act of pulling apart, usually as part of a surgical procedure.

  3. The posterior movement of teeth, usually with the aid of an orthodontic appliance.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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