protract Meaning, Definition & Usage

verb lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
prolong; draw out; extend.
- We prolonged our stay
- She extended her visit by another day
- The meeting was drawn out until midnight

L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See Portrait, Portray.

imperfect & past participle Protracted; present participle verbal noun 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. Shak.
(Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.
(Zoöl.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract.