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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Retract \Re*tract"\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]kt"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Retracted; p. pr. & vb. n. Retracting.] [F. r['e]tracter, L. retractare, retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See Retreat.] 1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle. [1913 Webster] 2. To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion. [1913 Webster] I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it. --Bp. Stillingfleet. [1913 Webster] 3. To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. [Obs.] --Woodward. [1913 Webster] Syn: To recall; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown. [1913 Webster]