'Retraction' definitions:
Definition of 'retraction'
(from WordNet)
noun
A disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion [syn: retraction, abjuration, recantation]
noun
The act of pulling or holding or drawing a part back; "the retraction of the landing gear"; "retraction of the foreskin"
Definition of 'Retraction'
From: GCIDE
- Retraction \Re*trac"tion\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]k"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F. r['e]traction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.]
- 1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws. [1913 Webster]
- 2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation. [1913 Webster]
- Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or concessions. --Eikon Basilike. [1913 Webster]
- 3. (Physiol.) (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew. (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body. [1913 Webster]
Synonyms of 'retraction'
From: Moby Thesaurus
- abandonment,
- abjuration,
- abjurement,
- abolishment,
- abolition,
- abrogation,
- absolute contradiction,
- annulment,
- attrition,
- cancel,
- canceling,
- cancellation,
- cassation,
- cession,
- contradiction,
- contrary assertion,
- contravention,
- controversion,
- countering,
- countermand,
- counterorder,
- crossing,
- curtailment,
- cut,
- cutting,
- decrease,
- decrement,
- defeasance,
- denial,
- depletion,
- depreciation,
- derogation,
- detraction,
- diminution,
- dip,
- disaffirmation,
- disallowance,
- disavowal,
- disclaimer,
- disclamation,
- disowning,
- disownment,
- disparagement,
- dispensation,
- disposal,
- disposition,
- disproof,
- dumping,
- expatriation,
- extraction,
- forgoing,
- forswearing,
- gainsaying,
- getting rid of,
- giving up,
- impairment,
- impugnment,
- invalidation,
- lessening,
- letting go,
- nullification,
- palinode,
- palinody,
- recall,
- recantation,
- recedence,
- receding,
- recession,
- reduction,
- refutation,
- release,
- relinquishment,
- remission,
- renege,
- reneging,
- renouncement,
- renunciation,
- repeal,
- repudiation,
- rescinding,
- rescindment,
- rescission,
- resignation,
- retirement,
- retractation,
- retractility,
- retreat,
- retrenchment,
- retrocedence,
- reversal,
- revocation,
- revoke,
- revokement,
- riddance,
- sacrifice,
- setting aside,
- shortening,
- shrinkage,
- surrender,
- suspension,
- swearing off,
- truncation,
- unsaying,
- vacation,
- vacatur,
- voidance,
- voiding,
- waiver,
- waiving,
- withdrawal,
- write-off,
- yielding