Retraction \Re*trac"tion\ (r[-e]*tr[=a]k"sh[u^]n), n. [Cf. F. r['e]traction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.]

1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws. [1913 Webster]

2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation. [1913 Webster]

Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or concessions. --Eikon Basilike. [1913 Webster]

3. (Physiol.)
   (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew.
   (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body. [1913 Webster]

Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
 

112 Moby Thesaurus words for "retraction": abandonment, abjuration, abjurement, abolishment, abolition, abrogation, absolute contradiction, annulment, attrition, cancel, canceling, cancellation, cassation, cession, contradiction, contrary assertion, contravention, controversion, countering, countermand, counterorder, crossing, curtailment, cut, cutting, decrease, decrement, defeasance, denial, depletion, depreciation, derogation, detraction, diminution, dip, disaffirmation, disallowance, disavowal, disclaimer, disclamation, disowning, disownment, disparagement, dispensation, disposal, disposition, disproof, dumping, expatriation, extraction, forgoing, forswearing, gainsaying, getting rid of, giving up, impairment, impugnment, invalidation, lessening, letting go, nullification, palinode, palinody, recall, recantation, recedence, receding, recession, reduction, refutation, release, relinquishment, remission, renege, reneging, renouncement, renunciation, repeal, repudiation, rescinding, rescindment, rescission, resignation, retirement, retractation, retractility, retreat, retrenchment, retrocedence, reversal, revocation, revoke, revokement, riddance, sacrifice, setting aside, shortening, shrinkage, surrender, suspension, swearing off, truncation, unsaying, vacation, vacatur, voidance, voiding, waiver, waiving, withdrawal, write-off, yielding

Source: Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0
 

retraction

Source: WordNet (r) 2.0
 

Retraction \Re*trac"tion\, n. [Cf. F. r['e]traction, L. retractio a drawing back, hesitation.]

1. The act of retracting, or drawing back; the state of being retracted; as, the retraction of a cat's claws.

2. The act of withdrawing something advanced, stated, claimed, or done; declaration of change of opinion; recantation.

Other men's insatiable desire of revenge hath wholly beguiled both church and state of the benefit of all my either retractions or ?oncessions. --Eikon Basilike.

3. (Physiol.)
   (a) The act of retracting or shortening; as, the retraction of a severed muscle; the retraction of a sinew.
   (b) The state or condition of a part when drawn back, or towards the center of the body.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)