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retract (v.)

early 15c., "to draw (something) back," from Old French retracter (14c.) and directly from Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere "to draw back" (see retraction). Sense of "to revoke, recant, take back" is attested from 1540s, probably a back-formation from retraction. Related: Retracted; retracting.

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Definitions of retract from WordNet

retract (v.)
formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure;
He retracted his earlier statements about his religion
Synonyms: abjure / recant / forswear / resile
retract (v.)
pull away from a source of disgust or fear;
Synonyms: shrink back
retract (v.)
use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ);
Synonyms: pull back / draw back
retract (v.)
pull inward or towards a center;
The cat retracted his claws
Synonyms: draw in
From wordnet.princeton.edu