Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun A semicircular instrument for measuring and constructing angles.
- noun Anatomy A muscle that extends a limb or other part.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun One who or that which protracts. As applied to persons, also
protractor . - noun In anatomy, a muscle which protracts, or extends or draws a part forward: the opposite of
retractor . See diagram under Echinoidea. - noun An adjustable pattern, agreeing in proportion with particular measurements, used by tailors in cutting out garments.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun One who, or that which, protracts, or causes protraction.
- noun A mathematical instrument for laying down and measuring angles on paper, used in drawing or in plotting. It is of various forms, semicircular, rectangular, or circular.
- noun (Surg.) An instrument formerly used in extracting foreign or offensive matter from a wound.
- noun (Anat.) A muscle which extends an organ or part; -- opposed to
retractor . - noun An adjustable pattern used by tailors.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun One who, or that which,
protracts , or causesprotraction . - noun A
circular orsemicircular tool fordrawing ormeasuring angles . - noun surgery An
instrument formerly used in extracting foreign or offensive matter from awound . - noun anatomy A
muscle that extends an organ or part; opposed toretractor . - noun An
adjustable pattern used bytailors .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun drafting instrument used to draw or measure angles
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word protractor.
Examples
-
That is, hold the protractor, which is "D" shaped, in the same orientation as the letter "D".
dogsolitude Diary Entry dogsolitude 2007
-
-- As all angles are not obtainable by the square or bevel, a protractor is a most desirable addition to the stock of tools.
Practical Mechanics for Boys J. S. Zerbe
-
Kelly allegedly pulled out the instrument, described as a protractor or compass, and tried to stab the victim.
unknown title 2008
-
A 14-year-old Naples High School student faces felony charges of aggravated battery for allegedly attacking another teen at the Coastland Center mall with an instrument described as a protractor or compass.
unknown title 2008
-
But Dr. Jonas enthralled me with a protractor and precalculus.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
-
“Turn your head as far as you can to the left,” he said as he pulled out a clear plastic protractor that would measure how much rotation I had in my neck.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
-
But Dr. Jonas enthralled me with a protractor and precalculus.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
-
Dr. Jonas took out a number-two pencil, a ruler, and a protractor to draw lines on my x-rays.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
-
“Turn your head as far as you can to the left,” he said as he pulled out a clear plastic protractor that would measure how much rotation I had in my neck.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
-
Dr. Jonas took out a number-two pencil, a ruler, and a protractor to draw lines on my x-rays.
Chocolate & Vicodin Jennette Fulda 2011
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.