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.
2.
To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to protract a decision or duty.
Shak.
3. Surv.
To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
4. Zool.
To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract.
© Webster 1913.
Pro*tract", n. [L. protractus.]
Tedious continuance or delay.
[Obs.]
Spenser.
© Webster 1913.