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. (Zoöl.) To extend; to protrude;
as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to
retract.
Pro*tract", n. [L. protractus.]
Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.] Spenser.
