protract

[ proh-trakt, pruh- ]
/ proʊˈtrækt, prə- /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR protract ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to draw out or lengthen, especially in time; extend the duration of; prolong.
Anatomy. to extend or protrude.
(in surveying, mathematics, etc.) to plot and draw (lines) with a scale and a protractor.

Origin of protract

First recorded in 1540–50, protract is from the Latin word prōtractus (past participle of prōtrahere to draw forth, prolong). See pro-1, tract1

OTHER WORDS FROM protract

Words nearby protract

protozoiasis, protozoicide, protozoology, protozoon, protozoophage, protract, protracted, protractile, protraction, protractor, protriptyline

Words related to protract

prolong, defer, draw, stretch, lengthen, procrastinate, delay, continue, pad, elongate, postpone, stall, cool, prolongate

Example sentences from the Web for protract

British Dictionary definitions for protract

protract
/ (prəˈtrækt) /

verb (tr)

to lengthen or extend (a speech, etc); prolong in time
(of a muscle) to draw, thrust, or extend (a part, etc) forwards
to plot or draw using a protractor and scale

Derived forms of protract

protractive, adjective

Word Origin for protract

C16: from Latin prōtrahere to prolong, from pro- 1 + trahere to drag

Medical definitions for protract

protract
[ prō-trăkt′ ]

v.

To extend or protrude a body part.