protract
UK: prəˈtrækt | US: proʊˈtrækt
vt. to prolong or extend in time or space
vt. (anatomy) to extend or stretch a body part forward
vt. (obsolete) to draw or delineate
The word "protract" originates from Latin protractus, the past participle of protrahere ("to drag forward"), combining pro- (forward) and trahere (to pull). The morpheme tract appears in related words like "traction" (pulling force) and "contract" (pull together). Over time, "protract" evolved from literal drawing/pulling to metaphorical extensions of time or space, retaining its core idea of elongation.
The negotiations were protracted due to unresolved disputes.
The cat protracted its claws when threatened.
(Historical) Early cartographers protracted coastlines with rudimentary tools.
Avoid protracting meetings with off-topic discussions.
The surgeon protracted the tissue for better visibility.