Pronunciation: [ɹɪtɹˈaktɪd] (IPA) 
The word "retracted" (/rɪˈtræktɪd/) is spelled with the prefix "re-", meaning "back" or "again", and the past tense form of the verb "tract", meaning "to pull or draw". The "a" vowel in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "a" sound, and the "ct" consonant cluster is pronounced with a hard "k" sound. The final "ed" ending is pronounced as an "id" sound when preceded by a "t" or "d" sound, as it is in this case.
The term "retracted" is primarily an adjective derived from the verb "retract." It denotes the act of withdrawing or taking back something, such as a statement, claim, accusation, promise, or proposal. When an individual retracts their words, they are essentially expressing regret or negating what was previously asserted. As a result, the retraction seeks to nullify the initial statement and disavow any prior support or belief.
In the realm of journalism and academia, retractions commonly occur when publications or authors formally withdraw a previously published article or research paper due to factual errors, plagiarism, ethical concerns, or irreproducible results. A retraction notice is typically issued to inform readers about the retracted content and provide an explanation for the action taken.
Retractions can also transpire in legal scenarios, where a party may retract a statement made under duress, false information provided, or a confession given unwillingly. By offering a retraction, the individual acknowledges their previous words as inaccurate and recants them in an attempt to rectify any harm or misinformation caused.
Furthermore, retracted can describe a physical action, such as retracting a body part. For instance, retracting a cat's claws refers to the act of drawing the claws back into their sheaths for protection or to avoid scratching.
Overall, "retracted" serves as a descriptive term denoting the act of withdrawing, nullifying, or taking back something previously stated, be it verbal, written, or physical.
In bot., bent backwards.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "retracted" has its origins in the Latin word "retractus", which is the past participle of the verb "retrahere". "Retractus" is derived from the combination of the prefix "re-", which means "back" or "again", and the verb "trahere", meaning "to draw" or "to pull". Therefore, "retracted" can be understood as something that has been drawn or pulled back or taken back.
