Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Protraction \Pro*trac"tion\, n. [L. protractio.]
   1. A drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the
      termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay;
      as, the protraction of a debate.

            A protraction only of what is worst in life.
                                                  --Mallock.

   2. (Surv.)
      (a) The act or process of making a plot on paper.
      (b) A plot on paper.

Source : WordNet®

protraction
     n 1: the consequence of being lengthened in duration [syn: {lengthiness},
           {prolongation}, {continuation}]
     2: the act of prolonging something; "there was an indefinite
        prolongation of the peace talks" [syn: {prolongation}, {perpetuation},
         {lengthening}]