Noah Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language

1. (v. t.) To take back; as to retract a statement; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.

2. (v. t.) To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.

3. (v. t.) To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke.

4. (v. i.) To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.

5. (v. i.) To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.

6. (n.) The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.