First Known Use: 1540
Dictionary
protract
verb pro·tract \prō-ˈtrakt, prə-\
Definition of PROTRACT
transitive verb
2
: to prolong in time or space : continue
See protract defined for kids
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Origin of PROTRACT
Latin protractus, past participle of protrahere, literally, to draw forward, from pro- forward + trahere to draw — more at pro-
Related to PROTRACT
- Synonyms
- drag (out), draw out, elongate, lengthen, outstretch, prolong, extend, stretch
Synonym Discussion of PROTRACT
extend, lengthen, prolong, protract mean to draw out or add to so as to increase in length. extend and lengthen imply a drawing out in space or time but extend may also imply increase in width, scope, area, or range <extend a vacation> <extend welfare services> <lengthen a skirt> <lengthen the workweek>. prolong suggests chiefly increase in duration especially beyond usual limits <prolonged illness>. protract adds to prolong implications of needlessness, vexation, or indefiniteness <protracted litigation>.
Rhymes with PROTRACT
abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, react, redact, refract, retract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked
PROTRACT Defined for Kids
protract
verb pro·tract \prō-ˈtrakt\
pro·tract·edpro·tract·ing
Definition of PROTRACT for Kids
: to make longer : draw out in time or space <Disagreements protracted the negotiation.>
Medical Dictionary
protract
transitive verb pro·tract \prō-ˈtrakt\
Medical Definition of PROTRACT
: to extend forward or outward <the mandible is protracted and retracted in chewing>—compare retract
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