online medical dictionary | definition of protract

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.

3. To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.

4. <zoology> To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; opposed to retract.

Origin: L. Protractus, p. P. Of protrahere to forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See Portrait, Portray.

(01 Mar 1998)