Wiktionary:Word of the day/2021/October 20

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retract v

(transitive) To pull (something) back or back inside. (specifically, zoology) To draw (an extended body part) back into the body. (rare) To avert (one's eyes or a gaze). (phonetics) To pronounce (a sound, especially a vowel) farther to the back of the vocal tract. (obsolete) To hold back (something); to restrain. (intransitive) To draw back; to draw up; to withdraw. [...] (transitive) To cancel or take back (something, such as an edict or a favour or grant previously bestowed); to rescind, to revoke. To break or fail to keep (a promise, etc.); to renege. To take back or withdraw (something that has been said or written); to disavow, to repudiate. (games) Originally in chess and now in other games as well: to take back or undo (a move); specifically (card games) to take back or withdraw (a card which has been played). (intransitive) To decline or fail to do something promised; to break one's word. Of something said or written (such as published academic work): to take back or withdraw. (card games, archaic) To change one's mind after declaring an intention to make a certain move. retract n (obsolete) An act of retracting or withdrawing (a mistake, a statement, etc.); a retraction. A pulling back, especially (military) of an army or military troops; a pull-back, a retreat; also, a signal for this to be done. Synonym of retreat (“an act of accidentally injuring a horse's foot by incorrectly nailing it during shoeing”)

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