re·trac·tor / riˈtraktər/ • n. a device for retracting something: seat belts with automatic retractors. ∎  (also re·trac·tor mus·cle) chiefly Zool. a muscle serving to retract a part of the body. Compare with protractor.

retractor (ri-trak-ter) n. a surgical instrument used to expose the operation site by drawing aside the cut edges of skin, muscle, or other tissues. See illustration.