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retractile

/rɪˈtræktəl/ /rɪˈtræktɪl/

Meanings
adjective
That can be retracted (as a cat's claws)

Examples :

"The cat's claws are retractile, allowing it to walk silently without scratching the floor. "
animal anatomy biology

Related Words

Illustration claws

claws noun

/klɔːz/

A curved, pointed horny nail on each digit of the foot of a mammal, reptile, or bird.

"The cat used its sharp claws to climb the tree. "

Illustration that

that noun

/ˈðæt/ /ˈd̪æt/ /ˈðɛt/

Something being indicated that is there; one of those.

"My sister brought several books to the library, and that one is about dinosaurs. "

Illustration silently

silently adverb

/ˈsaɪləntli/

In a silent manner; making no noise.

"The student sat silently in the library, concentrating on his book. "

Illustration scratching

scratching verb

/ˈskɹætʃɪŋ/

To rub a surface with a sharp object, especially by a living creature to remove itching with nails, claws, etc.

"Could you please scratch my back?"

Illustration can

can verb

/ˈkæn/ /ˈkæːn/

(modal auxiliary verb, defective) May; to be permitted or enabled to.

"My parents can take me to the park after school. "

Illustration the

the adverb

/ði/ /ˈðiː/

With a comparative or with more and a verb phrase, establishes a correlation with one or more other such comparatives.

"It looks weaker and weaker, the more I think about it."

Illustration cat

cat noun

/kat/ /kæt/

An animal of the family Felidae:

"My neighbor has a beautiful cat that often chases butterflies in her garden. "

Illustration floor

floor noun

/flɔː/ /flɔɹ/

The interior bottom or surface of a house or building; the supporting surface of a room.

"The room has a wooden floor."

Illustration walk

walk verb

/wɔːk/ /wɔk/

To move on the feet by alternately setting each foot (or pair or group of feet, in the case of animals with four or more feet) forward, with at least one foot on the ground at all times. Compare run.

"To walk briskly for an hour every day is to keep fit."

Illustration allowing

allowing verb

/əˈlaʊɪŋ/

To grant, give, admit, accord, afford, or yield; to let one have.

"to allow a servant his liberty;  to allow a free passage;  to allow one day for rest"

Illustration retracted

retracted verb

/rɪˈtræktɪd/ /riˈtræktɪd/

To pull back inside.

"An airplane retracts its wheels for flight."

Illustration without

without adverb

/wɪθˈʌʊt/ /wɪðˈaʊt/

Outside, externally. This is still used in the names of some civil parishes in England, e.g. St Cuthbert Without.

"The school is located just outside the town, without the main shopping area. "