retractio
From LSJ
μὴ ἐν πολλοῖς ὀλίγα λέγε, ἀλλ΄ ἐν ὀλίγοις πολλά → don't say little in many words, but much in a few words (Stobaeus quoting Pythagoras)
Latin > English (Lewis & Short)
rē̆tractĭo: ōnis, f. retraho.
I A drawing back, retreating: graduum, i. e. the breadth, Vitr. 3, 4, 4.—
II Trop.
1 A diminishing: dierum (opp. auctio), Macr. S. 1, 14.—
2 Hesitation, refusal: sine ullā retractione, Arn. 5, 162.
Latin > French (Gaffiot 2016)
rĕtractĭō, ōnis, f. (retraho), raccourcissement : Macr. Sat. 1, 14 || retrait (palier) des marches d’un escalier : Vitr. Arch. 3, 4, 4 || ? [fig.] hésitation : Arn. 5, 162 ; v. retractatio S 3.
