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Webster 1913 Edition

Protract

Pro-tract′

,
Verb.
T.
[
imp. & p. p.
Protracted
;
p. pr. vb. n.
Protracting
.]
[L.
protractus
, p. p. of
protrahere
to forth, protract;
pro
forward +
trahere
to draw. See
Portrait
,
Portray
.]
1.
To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; to prolong;
as, to
protract
an argument; to
protract
a war.
2.
To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer;
as, to
protract
a decision or duty
.
Shak.
3.
(Surv.)
To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4.
(Zool.)
To extend; to protrude;
as, the cat can
protract
its claws
; – opposed to
retract
.

Pro-tract′

,
Noun.
[L.
protractus
.]
Tedious continuance or delay.
[Obs.]
Spenser.

Webster 1828 Edition

Protract

PROTRACT'

,
Verb.
T.
[L. protractus, from pro and traho, to draw.]
1.
To draw out or lengthen in time; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a discussion; to protract a war or a negotiation.
2.
To delay; to defer; to put off to a distant time; as, to protract the decision of a question; to protract the final issue.

PROTRACT'

,
Noun.
Tedious continuance. [Not used.]

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