Re‐tract″ (rē̍‐trākt″), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Retracted; p. pr. & vb. n.Retracting.] [F. rétracter, L. retractare, retractatum, to handle again, reconsider, retract, fr. retrahere, retractum, to draw back. See Retreat.] 1. To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.
2. To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.
I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it. Bp. Stillingfleet.
3. To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke. Woodward.
Syn. — To recall; withdraw; rescind; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.