protraction

noun

pro·​trac·​tion prō-ˈtrak-shən 

prə-

1

: the act of protracting : the state of being protracted

2

: the drawing to scale of an area of land

Examples of protraction in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Serratus anterior: More laterally located within the chest wall, this muscle is responsible for scapular protraction (translation: pushing away from your body). —Women's Health Editors, Women's Health, 14 June 2023

But all of these things are additional protraction of the litigation. —Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2022

Moreover, time continues to be of the essence as the protraction of the negotiations complicate the talks. —Mostafa Salem, CNN, 10 Aug. 2022

The sculpture had become, after all these years, about the protraction of the human foot and the celestial head. —New York Times, 26 Jan. 2022

The White House is preparing for President Trump’s impeachment trial to drag into next week amid fears that Senate rules and Democratic protractions will delay his acquittal. —Rob Crilly, Washington Examiner, 31 Jan. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, "pulling forward, extension, delay," borrowed from Late Latin prōtractiōn-, prōtractiō "extension, lengthening, postponement," from Latin prōtrac-, variant stem of prōtrahere "to drag forward, draw or pull out, bring into the open, prolong, defer" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of verbal action — more at protract

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

protraction

noun

pro·​trac·​tion -ˈtrak-shən 

1

: the act of moving an anatomical part forward

2

: the state of being protracted

especially : protrusion of the jaws