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To spin out to too great length; to protract unduly. W. Cartwright.

f title; pleading the continuance and authority of long custom. The right to be drowsy in protracted toil has become prescriptive. J. M. Mason.

the act of asserting right or title. The arrogant pretensions of Glengarry contributed to protract the discussion. Macaulay.

Indulging in protracted discourse; tedious; wearisome; -- applied to a speaker or writer.

The act of lengthening in space or in time; extension; protraction. Bacon.

To protract; to prolong; to extend. [Obs.] He prorogued his government. Dryden.

Capable of being protruded or thrust out; protractile; protrusive.

counsel in a case that has been adjourned from one term to another, or that is unusually protracted. Ten guineas a day is the highest refresher which a counsel can charge. London Truth.

A suborder of leeches including those that have a protractile proboscis, without jaws. Clepsine is the type.

Not extended in time; having very limited duration; not protracted; as, short breath. The life so short, the craft so long to learn. Chaucer. To short absense I could yield. Milton.

ioners. Piers Plowman. Doubtless he shrives this woman, . . . Else ne'er could he so long protract his speech. Shak. Till my guilty soul be shriven. Longfellow.

To protract; to spend by delays; as, to spin out the day in idleness. By one delay after another they spin out their whole lives. L'Estrange.

n, which commonly causes laughter, and a kind of spasm which become dengerous if too long protracted. If you tickle us, do we not laugh Shak.

Continued or protracted duration; length; extent. "Improved by tract of time." Milton.

A loud, protracted, and mournful cry, as that of a dog; a howl.