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3. To trace over again, or renew the outline of, as a drawing; to draw again.

Re*tract" (r*trkt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retracting.] [F. rétracter, L. retractare, retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See Retreat.] 1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.

2. To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.

I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.

Bp. Stillingfleet.

3. To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. [Obs.] Woodward.

Syn. -- To recall; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.

Re*tract", v. i. 1. To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.

2. To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.

She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, Consents, retracts, advances, and then files.

Granville.

Re*tract", n. (Far.) The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.

Re*tract"a*ble (-*b'l), a. [Cf. F. rétractable.] Capable of being retracted; retractile.

Re*tract"ate (?), v. t. [L. retractatus, p. p. of retractare. See Retract.] To retract; to recant. [Obs.]

Re`trac*ta"tion (?), n. [Cf. F. rétractation, L. retractatio a revision, reconsideration. ] The act of retracting what has been said; recantation.

Re*tract"i*ble (?), a. Retractable.

Re*tract"ile (?), a. [Cf. F. - rétractile.] (Physiol.) Capable of retraction; capable of being drawn back or up; as, the claws of a cat are retractile.

Re*trac"tion (r*trk"shn), n. [Cf. F. rétraction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.] 1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws.

2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation.

Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or concessions.

Eikon Basilike.

3. (Physiol.) (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew. (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body.

Re*tract"ive (?), a. Serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction. -- Re*tract"ive*ly, adv.

Re*tract"ive, n. That which retracts, or withdraws.

Re*tract"or (-r), n. One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically: (a) In breech-loading firearms, a device for withdrawing a cartridge shell from the barrel. (b) (Surg.) An instrument for holding apart the edges of a wound during amputation. (c) (Surg.) A bandage to protect the soft parts from injury by the saw during amputation. (d) (Anat. & Zoöl.) A muscle serving to draw in any organ or part. See Illust. under Phylactolæmata.

Re*traict" (r*trt"), n. Retreat. [Obs.] Bacon.

Re*trait" (r*trt"), n. [It. ritratto, fr. ritrarre to draw back, draw, fr. L. retrahere. See Retract.] A portrait; a likeness. [Obs.]

Whose fair retrait I in my shield do bear.