Main Entry: re·tract

Pronunciation: \ri-ˈtrakt\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere — more at retreat

Date: 15th century

transitive verb 1 : to draw back or in <cats retract their claws>
2 a : take back, withdraw <retract a confession> b : disavowintransitive verb 1 : to draw or pull back
2 : to recant or disavow something

synonyms see abjure, recede

— re·tract·able \-ˈtrak-tə-bəl\ adjective