释义 |
retractive, a. and n.|rɪˈtræktɪv| [a. OF. retractif (mod.F. rétractif), or ad. med.L. *retractivus: see retract v.1 and -ive. So It. ritrattivo.] A. adj. 1. Serving to retract or pull back.
c1400tr. Secreta Secret., Gov. Lordsh. 96 Of stryngthe attractyue, and retractyf. 1614T. Tomkis Albumazar v. i, An engine..whose qualitie Of strange retractiue vertue may recall Desperate debts. 1815Hist. John Decastro I. 199 The retractive muscles of the upper lip gave him astonishing powers of grimace. 2. Inclined to draw back; † backsliding. rare.
1509Hawes Past. Pleas. 45 The erryng people, that are retractif, As to the ryght way to bryng them agayne. 1869tr. Rénan's Apostles xiii. 191 To win over this great retractive and susceptible soul. †3. Of a chess problem: involving the retracting of a move or moves. Obs.
1890J. Rayner Chess Probl. 9 A retractive problem is one in which some move..has to be retracted, and then mate or sui-mate in a given number of moves. 1890B. G. Laws Two-Move Chess Probl. 16 These are called ‘Retractive’ problems. †B. n. A dissuasive. Obs.
1616Beard (title), A Retractive from the Romish Religion. 1644Bp. Hall Rem. Wks. (1660) 139 To be a strong retractive from any, even of our dearest, and gainfullest sins. |