retractile
Able to withdraw
Retractile describes something capable of being drawn back or in.
The word appears most often in zoology: a cat's retractile claws can extend for hunting or climbing, then withdraw into protective sheaths.
The snail's retractile tentacles disappeared at my touch.
Curved animal nail
- fangPointed predator tooth
- tentacleFlexible grasping appendage
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
- antennaBroadcast signal receiver
eyestalk · pseudopod · tongue · tusk · talon · nail · appendage · digit
Make longer or larger
- withdrawRemove or pull away
- recoilBackward force from discharge
- recedeMove back from
- shrinkDecrease in size
contract · collapse · compress · fold · curl · coil · unfurl · protrude
claw
Curved animal nail
- fangPointed predator tooth
- tentacleFlexible grasping appendage
- proboscisElongated animal head appendage
antenna · eyestalk · pseudopod · tongue · tusk · talon · nail · appendage · digit · limb
extend
Make longer or larger
shrink · contract · collapse · compress · fold · curl · coil · unfurl · protrude · emerge
sheath
Protective blade covering
- telescopeInstrument magnifying faraway objects
- accordionBellows-driven reed instrument
- pistonReciprocating cylinder component
cylinder · coil · spring · hinge · joint · lever · pulley · gear · cable · rod
armor
Protective combat covering
plating · guard · shield · cover · encasement · barrier · defense · cocoon · burrow · den
retractilefixed
Restored or immovable
immovable · protractile · extended · immobile · permanent
retractilefixed
Restored or immovable
permanent · static · inflexible · invariable · unchanging