retractile

[ ri-trak-til ]
/ rɪˈtræk tɪl /

adjective Zoology.

capable of being drawn back or in, as the head of a tortoise; exhibiting the power of retraction.

Origin of retractile

First recorded in 1770–80; retract1 + -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM retractile

re·trac·til·i·ty [ree-trak-til-i-tee] /ˌri trækˈtɪl ɪ ti/, noun non·re·trac·tile, adjective non·re·trac·til·i·ty, noun sub·re·trac·tile, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for retractile

British Dictionary definitions for retractile

retractile
/ (rɪˈtræktaɪl) /

adjective

capable of being drawn in the retractile claws of a cat

Derived forms of retractile

retractility (ˌriːtrækˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Medical definitions for retractile

retractile
[ rĭ-trăktĭl, -tīl′ ]

adj.

That can be drawn back or in, as the claws of a cat.