[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

protraction \protrac"tion\, n. l. protractio.
   1. a drawing out, or continuing; the act of delaying the
      termination of a thing; prolongation; continuance; delay;
      as, the protraction of a debate.
      1913 webster

            a protraction only of what is worst in life.
                                                  --mallock.
      1913 webster

   2. surv.
      a the act or process of making a plot on paper.
      b a plot on paper.
          1913 webster

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

protraction
     n 1: the consequence of being lengthened in duration syn: lengthiness,
           prolongation, continuation
     2: the act of prolonging something; "there was an indefinite
        prolongation of the peace talks" syn: prolongation, perpetuation,
         lengthening
see also:
lengthiness prolongation continuation perpetuation lengthening 

[3] : Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0

47 moby thesaurus words for "protraction":
   adjournal, adjournment, continualness, continuance, continuation,
   continuity, dallying, deferment, deferral, delay, elongation,
   endurance, extension, extension of time, lag, lengthening,
   lingering, maintenance, perpetuation, perseverance, persistence,
   postponement, procrastination, production, progress, progression,
   prolongation, prorogation, pursuance, putting-off, repetition, run,
   stay, staying power, straight course, strain, stretch, stretching,
   stringing out, suspension, sustained action, sustenance, tabling,
   tension, uninterrupted course, unremittingness, way

Protraction >> P Words
Protraction, definition of term: Protraction
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