Protract /(?)/

imp. & p. p. Protracted; p. pr. vb. n. Protracting

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.
3. To draw to a scale; to lay down the lines and angles of, with scale and protractor; to plot. (Surv.)
4. To extend; to protrude; as, the cat can protract its claws; -- opposed to retract. (Zool.)

1. Tedious continuance or delay. [Obs.]