Retract vs Backword - What's the difference?

As a verb retract

is to pull back inside.

a contention, retort, or reply.

(en verb)

To pull back inside.

An airplane retracts its wheels for flight.

(ambitransitive) To draw back; to draw up.

Muscles retract after amputation.

A cat can retract its claws.

To take back or withdraw something one has said.

I retract all the accusations I made about the senator and sincerely hope he won't sue me.

* Bishop Stillingfleet

I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.

* Granville

She will, and she will not; she grants, denies, / Consents, retracts , advances, and then flies.

To take back, as a grant or favour previously bestowed; to revoke.

(Woodward)

* take back * withcall * withdraw

(en noun)

A contention, retort, or reply.

A contradiction or answer to put off an engagement; a countermand.

A section of commentary at the end of a book.