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Retract vs Retrace - What's the difference?

retract | retrace |

In transitive terms the difference between retract and retrace

is that retract is to take back or withdraw something one has said while retrace is to trace again; to go back over something, usually in an attempt of rediscovery.

As a noun retrace is

the period when the beam of the cathode-ray tube returns to its initial horizontal position in order to start the next line of the display.

retract

English

Verb

(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)

    Synonyms

    * take back * withcall * withdraw

    See also

    * unsay * unspeak

    retrace

    English

    Verb

  • To trace again; to go back over something, usually in an attempt of rediscovery.
    • He retraced his steps, and found his keys where he had dropped them.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (television) The period when the beam of the cathode-ray tube returns to its initial horizontal position in order to start the next line of the display.

    • Anagrams

    * * ----