[v] formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure; "He retracted his earlier statements about his religion"; "She abjured her beliefs"
[v] pull inward or towards a center; "The pilot drew in the landing gear"; "The cat retracted his claws"
[v] use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
[v] shrink back, as in fear