transitive verb, intransitive verb

1. to draw back or in to retract claws
2. to withdraw or disavow (a statement, promise, offer, charge, etc.); recant

Etymology: ME retracten: in retractsense < L retractus, pp. of retrahere, to draw back < re-, back + trahere, to draw; in retractsense < MFr retracter < L retractare, to draw back, withdraw < re-, back + tractare, to pull, draw, freq. of trahere