PROTRACT • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of Protract

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/proʊtrˈækt/ /prˈoʊtrækt/ Listen

verb

Protract v. t. (past & past part. protracted; pres. part. protracting)

To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a war.

To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty.

(Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.

(Zool.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; opposed to retract.

noun

Protract n. Tedious continuance or delay. (Obs.)

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Etymology of 'Protract'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Protract" Quotes from Famous Books

... closely identified? He was pale, attenuated, and trembled. Could it be that so soon it had become necessary to renew the life-blood in his veins in the awful manner which it is supposed the vampyre brood are compelled to protract their miserable existence? ...

— Varney the Vampire - Or the Feast of Blood • Thomas Preskett Prest

... will be acceptable to what is called the Irish people. It is now averred that the extension of the borough franchise to counties must be carried before a Parliament adequate to deal with the Irish question is formed. This appears a strong demand, and one likely to protract the present distracted state of the country. But I hear, on the best authority, that the Land League and the associated farmers can wait. They are in no hurry. England can take her own time and they will wait patiently, meanwhile ...

— Disturbed Ireland - Being the Letters Written During the Winter of 1880-81. • Bernard H. Becker

... dislike she did not feel, or giving him slights that neither good breeding nor good nature could justify. At one time, indeed, she had expressed a wish to return to Clara; but this Mrs. Wilson thought would only protract the evil, and she was compelled to wait his own time. The peer himself did not rejoice more in his ability to make the offer, therefore, than Emily did to have it in her power to decline it. Her rejection was firm and unqualified, but ...

— Precaution • James Fenimore Cooper

... only," said the Lady Hermione, "because I linger like a criminal on the scaffold, and would fain protract the time that must inevitably bring on the final catastrophe. Yes, dearest Margaret, I rest and dwell on the events of that journey, marked as it was by fatigue and danger, though the road lay through the wildest and most desolate deserts and mountains, and ...

— The Fortunes of Nigel • Sir Walter Scott

... sent forth a joyous peal in honor of his arrival; but the Admiral was too desirous of presenting himself before the sovereigns to protract his stay long at Palos. His progress through Seville was an ovation. It was the middle of April before Columbus reached Barcelona. The nobility and cavaliers in attendance on the court, together with ...

— Christopher Columbus and His Monument Columbia • Various

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