Nota: A tradução desta entrada está atualmente em revisão de qualidade, portanto parte do conteúdo é exibida temporariamente apenas em inglês.
Este verbete ainda não foi traduzido para o seu idioma, portanto o original é exibido abaixo.
protract
This term carries a strong connotation of inefficiency or intentional delay when applied to time. It suggests a stretching of events that creates tediousness or frustration, distinguishing it from neutral terms like extend or prolong. It is frequently employed in formal, legal, or bureaucratic contexts to describe processes that have become unnecessarily drawn out.
In a biological or anatomical sense, the word describes a specific mechanical action of extension. This usage is technical and precise, referring to the outward movement of a body part from a retracted position, such as the action of a jaw or tongue.
Meanings
Examples
We should not protract the negotiations any further.
The legal battle was protracted for several years.
The legal battle was protracted for several years.
Why do you insist on protracting the agony of this breakup?
The doctor asked the patient to protract their tongue.
Some reptiles can protract their jaws to swallow larger prey.
I wonder if they intend to protract the meeting until midnight.
The conflict was protracted by a lack of clear communication.
The conflict was protracted by a lack of clear communication.
The creature began to protract its long claws from its paws.