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protractor (n.)
1610s, "one who lengthens (an action)," Modern Latin agent noun from Latin protrahere "to draw forward" (see protraction). Medieval Latin protractor meant "one who calls or drags another into court." The surveying sense of "instrument for measuring and drawing angles on paper" is recorded from 1650s. As "muscle which serves to extend a limb or member," by 1861.
updated on December 27, 2020
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Definitions of protractor from WordNet
Dictionary entries near protractor
Protozoa
protozoic
protract
protraction
protractive
protractor
protrude
protrusion
protuberance
protuberant
protuberate