protract
UK[prəˈtrækt]US[proʊˈtrækt]
v
to make something last longer than usual or expected; to prolong
v
(anatomy) to extend or thrust out a part of the body
Morpheme Breakdown
pro
tract
pro
forward
tract
pull, draw
Etymology
the word "protract" originates from the latin verb protrahere, a compound of pro- (forward) and trahere (to pull or draw). the literal sense was "to draw forth or lengthen," as in pulling something forward to extend its length. this concrete action evolved metaphorically into the modern abstract meaning of prolonging an event or process in time, as if drawing it out. in anatomical contexts, it retains a more physical sense, describing the action of extending a limb or body part forward.
Analysis
Structure: pro (forward) + tract (pull, draw)
pro- is a Latin prefix meaning "forward, forth, in front of." tract is from the Latin root tractus, meaning "a drawing, pulling, dragging," from the verb trahere (to pull, draw).
Examples
the committee's indecision could protract the negotiations for several more months.
the cat can protract its claws when climbing.
they decided not to protract the meeting any further and called for a vote.