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CApable of retraction; capable of being drawn back or up; as, the claws of a cat are retractile.

The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws.

Serving to retract; of the nature of a retraction. -- Re*tract"ive*ly, adv.

One who, or that which, retracts. Specifically:

Retreat. [Obs.] Bacon.

A portrait; a likeness. [Obs.] Whose fair retrait I in my shield do bear. Spenser.

To transform anew or back. -- Re`trans*for*ma"tion, n.

To translate anew; especially, to translate back into the original language.

The withdrawing, or open renunciation, of a suit in court by the plaintiff, by which he forever lost his right of action. Blackstone.

To tread again.

The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable. In a retreat he oShak.

Furnishing or serving as a retreat. [R.] "Our retreatful flood." Chapman.

The act of retreating; specifically, the Hegira. [R.] D'Urfey.

To cut off; to pare away. Thy exuberant parts retrench. Denham.

The act or process of retrenching; as, the retrenchment of words in a writing. The retrenchment of my expenses will convince you that Walpole.

A secdond trial, experiment, or test; a second judicial trial, as of an accused person.

To pay back; to give in return, as payment, reward, or punishment; to requite; as, to retribute one for his kindness; to retribute just punishment to a criminal. [Obs. or R.] Locke.

One who makes retribution.

The act of retributing; repayment. In good offices and due retributions, we may not be pinching and niggardly. Bp. Hall.

Of or pertaining to retribution; of the nature of retribution; involving retribution or repayment; as, retributive justice; retributory comforts.