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}.

Protracted \Pro*tract`ed\, a.
   Prolonged; continued.

   {Protracted meeting},a religious meeting continued for many
      successive days. [U. S.] -- {Pro*tract"ed*ly}, adv. --
      {Pro*tract"ed*ness}, n.

Source : WordNet®

protracted
     adj : relatively long in duration; tediously protracted; "a
           drawn-out argument"; "an extended discussion"; "a
           lengthy visit from her mother-in-law"; "a prolonged and
           bitter struggle"; "protracted negotiations" [syn: {drawn-out},
            {extended}, {lengthy}, {prolonged}]