Search Result for "protracting": 

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. [1913 Webster] 2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty. --Shak. [1913 Webster] 3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot. [1913 Webster] 4. (Zool.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract. [1913 Webster]