protraction

noun

pro·​trac·​tion prō-ˈtrak-shən 

prə-

1

: the act of protracting : the state of being protracted

2

: the drawing to scale of an area of land

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

But all of these things are additional protraction of the litigation. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022

Moreover, time continues to be of the essence as the protraction of the negotiations complicate the talks. —Mostafa Salem, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022

The sculpture had become, after all these years, about the protraction of the human foot and the celestial head. —New York Times, 26 Jan. 2022

The White House is preparing for President Trump’s impeachment trial to drag into next week amid fears that Senate rules and Democratic protractions will delay his acquittal. —Rob Crilly, Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin protraction-, protractio act of drawing out, from protrahere

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

protraction

noun

pro·​trac·​tion -ˈtrak-shən 

1

: the act of moving an anatomical part forward

2

: the state of being protracted

especially : protrusion of the jaws