Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun The act of retracting or withdrawing; especially, the recall or withdrawal of an assertion, a claim, or a declared belief; a recantation.
- noun plural [capitalized] The title of a work by St. Augustine containing corrections and other modifications of his earlier writings; hence, some similar book.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun The act of retracting what has been said; recantation.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
retraction (of something previously said)
Etymologies
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License
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Examples
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Their retractation is likewise mentioned in the address of the orthodox bishops of Rimini to Constantius.
The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire 1206
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The popular belief was that his retractation was the effect of the tears, expostulations and reproaches of his wife.
The History of England, from the Accession of James II — Volume 4 Thomas Babington Macaulay Macaulay 1829
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This my pretty Black Boy calls a retractation of Junius'* first concession, and applies to his aged father for an old wo - man's proverb. —
Junius : including letters by the same writer, under other signatures, (now first collected) to which are added, his confidential correspondence with Mr. Wilkes, and his private letters addressed to Mr. H.S. Woodfall ; with a preliminary essay, notes, fac-similes, &c. Good, John Mason, 1764-1827 1812
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Island, where we left him, was much less moved by the grotesque accounts given in the local journals of his conduct yesterday than by Mr. Gladstone's "retractation" of the extraordinary attack which he made the other day upon Mr. Roche himself, and four other magistrates by name.
Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (2 of 2) (1888) William Henry Hurlbert 1861
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When the last flask was emptied, they took their leave with deep protestations — to be forgotten on the morrow, if, indeed, those who made them should not think it necessary for their safety to make a more solemn retractation.
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What-shall-I call them? would result from such a retractation and renewal of claim!
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Long after he made me a formal retractation of the sermon and a formal apology for the pain he had inflicted; adding drolly, but truly, ‘You see, at that time I was so much younger than you!’
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Oh yes though! said Bella; she might as well mention one other thing; Lizzie was very desirous to thank her unknown friend who had sent her the written retractation.
Our Mutual Friend 2004
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That letter of retractation was, however, quite out of the question.
He Knew He Was Right 2004
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He had the volume down and his spectacles upon his nose instanter, as though to forestall some possible retractation.
The Wrong Box 2004
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