Re-trăct’1, v. t.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. RETRACTED; p. pr. & vb. n. RETRACTING.] [Fr. rétracter, Sp. retractar, It. ritrattare, Lat. retractare, from retrahere, retractum, to draw back, from re, again, back, and trahere, to draw.]
Sense 1. To draw back, as claws.
Sense 2. To withdraw; to recall, as a declaration, words, or saying; to disavow; to recant; as, to re-tract an accusation, charge, or assertion.
I would as freely have retracted the charge of idolatry, as I ever made it. Stillingfleet.
Sense 3. To take back what was once bestowed as a grant or favor. [Obs.] Woodward.
Synonyms—To recall; withdraw; revoke; unsay; disavow; recant; abjure; disown.