from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Protract \Pro*tract"\, v. 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.
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2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to
protract a decision or duty. --Shak.
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3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and
angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
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4. (Zool.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract
its claws; -- opposed to {retract}.
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