Definition of Retract

Verb: retract ri'trakt

Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
"He retracted his earlier statements about his religion";
- abjure, recant, forswear, resile
Pull away from a source of disgust or fear
- shrink back
Use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
- pull back, draw back
Pull inward or towards a centre
"The cat retracted his claws";
- draw in