protract
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pro·tract

transitive verb \prō-ˈtrakt, prə-\

Definition of PROTRACT

1
archaic : delay, defer
2
: to prolong in time or space : continue
3
: to extend forward or outward — compare retract 1
pro·trac·tive \-ˈtrak-tiv\ adjective

Examples of PROTRACT

  1. <the highway project was protracted by years of litigation>

Origin of PROTRACT

Latin protractus, past participle of protrahere, literally, to draw forward, from pro- forward + trahere to draw — more at pro-
First Known Use: 1540

Related to PROTRACT

pro·tract

transitive verb \prō-ˈtrakt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of PROTRACT

: to extend forward or outward <the mandible is protracted and retracted in chewing>—compare retract

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