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

ovement, movement produced, as in the amoeba, by successive processes of prolongation and retraction.

A change of measures; alteration of conduct. Such countermarches and retractions as we do not willingly impute to wisdom. T. Burnet.

A cotter or split pin, as in a slot in a bolt, to prevent retraction; a linchpin; a pin fastening the cap-square of a gun. Forelock bolt, a bolt retained by a key, gib, or cotter passing through a slot. -- Forelock hook (Rope Making), a winch or whirl by which a bunch of three yarns is twisted into a standard. Knight.…

A cleft or division. Jag bolt, a bolt with a nicked or barbed shank which resists retraction, as when leaded into stone.

A retraction; esp., a formal retraction. Sandys.

Of or pertaining to a palinode, or retraction. J. Q. Adams.

declaration that contradicts a former one; that which is thus asserted in contradiction; retraction. The poor man was imprisoned for this discovery, and forced to make a public recantation. Bp. Stillingfleet.

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

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

The act of withdrawing; withdrawment; retreat; retraction. Fielding.