Retractile: meaning, definitions and examples
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retractile
[ rɪˈtræktaɪl ]
biological context
Retraction refers to the ability of an organism or structure to draw back or to be drawn back. This term is most commonly used in biological contexts, describing parts of an organism that can be retracted, such as claws, tentacles, or other appendages.
Synonyms
drawback, reducible, withdrawable
Examples of usage
- The retractile claws of a cat help it to climb effectively.
- Certain species of octopus have retractile tentacles for capturing prey.
- Some insects possess retractile mouthparts for feeding.
Translations
Translations of the word "retractile" in other languages:
🇵🇹 retrátil
🇮🇳 खींचने योग्य
🇩🇪 retraktierbar
🇮🇩 dapat ditarik
🇺🇦 втягувальний
🇵🇱 retraktowalny
🇯🇵 引き込むことができる
🇫🇷 rétractable
🇪🇸 retractil
🇹🇷 geri çekilebilir
🇰🇷 수축 가능한
🇸🇦 قابل السحب
🇨🇿 retraktibilní
🇸🇰 retraktibilný
🇨🇳 可收回的
🇸🇮 retraktibilen
🇮🇸 afturkræfanlegur
🇰🇿 кері тартылатын
🇬🇪 აღსრულებადი
🇦🇿 geri çəkilən
🇲🇽 retractil
Etymology
The word 'retractile' comes from the Latin root 'retractilis', which is derived from 'retractus', the past participle of 'retrahere', meaning 'to pull back'. The prefix 're-' signifies 'back' or 'again', while 'tract' originates from 'tractus', meaning 'to draw' or 'to pull'. The use of 'retractile' in English has been documented since the late 19th century, primarily in biological literature, to describe the capability of certain organisms to retract body parts. The term has evolved to encompass a range of biological structures that demonstrate retractility, emphasizing the adaptive nature of various species for survival and functionality.