Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PRO-TRACT', v.t. [L. protractus, from protraho; pro and traho, to draw.]

1. To draw out or lengthen in time; to continue; to prolong; as, to protract an argument; to protract a discussion; to protract a war or a negotiation.
2. To delay; to defer; to put off to a distant time; as, to protract the decision of a question; to protract the final issue.