Retract - Definition

v 1: formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually
under pressure; "He retracted his earlier statements about
his religion"; "She abjured her beliefs" [syn: abjure,
recant, forswear, retract, resile]
2: pull away from a source of disgust or fear [syn: shrink
back, retract]
3: use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound
or an organ) [syn: retract, pull back, draw back]
4: pull inward or towards a center; "The pilot drew in the
landing gear"; "The cat retracted his claws" [syn: draw in,
retract]