† proˈtracture Obs.
Also erron. 6–7 -our, -or.
[f. as protract v. + -ure: cf. portraiture.]
1. Representation by a figure; drawing.
| 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. i. Defin., Without perspectiue knowledge, it is not easy to iudge truly the formes of them in flatte protracture. 1557 ― Whetst. G iv, I will..set forth a brief explication of their names, with the protracture of the figures. 1613 M. Ridley Magn. Bodies 51 Having the formes and protractors of creeping things..drawne in past-boord. 1634 W. Wood New Eng. Prosp. ii. xx. (1865) 107 They make curious baskets with intermixed colours and protractures of antique Imagerie. |
2. Figure, shape, form, outline.
| 1551 Recorde Pathw. Knowl. ii. lv, Circles are regulare formes, that is to say, such formes as haue in their protracture a iuste and certaine proportion. 1581 J. Derricke View Irel. II. E iij b, His skirtes be verie shorte..And Irishe trouzes more to put their straunge protractours out. 1607 Topsell Four-f. Beasts (1658) 411 It is her fashion and protracture to lie thus when she [the hamster] is angry. |