[rɪˈtrakt], (Verb)

Definitions:
- draw back
(e.g: she retracted her hand as if she'd been burnt)

- withdraw (a statement or accusation) as untrue or unjustified
(e.g: he retracted his allegations)


Phrases:

Origin:
late Middle English: from Latin retract- ‘drawn back’, from the verb retrahere (from re- ‘back’ + trahere ‘drag’); the senses ‘withdraw (a statement’) and ‘go back on’ via Old French from retractare ‘reconsider’ (based on trahere ‘drag’)