Definition of retract

• v. t. - To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.
• v. t. - To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.
• v. t. - To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke.
• v. i. - To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.
• v. i. - To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.
• n. - The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.