to draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.-to withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.-to take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke.-to draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.-to take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.-the pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.