Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Protract \Pro*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Protracted}; p. pr.
   vb. n. {Protracting}.] [L. protractus, p. p. of protrahere to
   forth, protract; pro forward + trahere to draw. See
   {Portrait}, {Portray}.]
   1. To draw out or lengthen in time or (rarely) in space; to
      continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to
      protract a war.

   2. To put off to a distant time; to delay; to defer; as, to
      protract a decision or duty. --Shak.

   3. (Surv.) To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and
      angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot.

   4. (Zo["o]l.) To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can
      protract its claws; -- opposed to {retract}.