Retraxit Definition: Latin: a withdrawal of a legal action. Related Terms: Discontinuance, Withdrawal, Nolle Prosequi A renunciation in open court of an alleged claim of action. In ancient common law, a retraxit had the effect of forever estopping the plaintiff of raising the same cause of action at some future time. It is the equivalent of the modern civil litigation procedure of a discontinuance. REFERENCES: Brown, Archibald, A New Law Dictionary and Institute of the Whole Law for the Use of Students, the Legal Profession and the Public (London: Stevens & Sons, 1874), Page 314 Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Discontinuance Duhaime, Lloyd, Legal Definition of Nolle prosequi Duhaime, loyd, Legal Definition of Withdrawal Walsh, C., Jowitt’s Dictionary of English Law (London: Sweet & Maxwell Limited, 1959), page 1550 Categories & Topics: Ancient Common Law Dictionary Civil Litigation & Evidence Law Dictionary Dictionary of Latin Law Terms Find you are constantly looking up definitions? Try our search provider (works in most modern browsers) If you find an error or omission in Duhaime's Legal Dictionary, or if you have legal term suggestion, we'd love to hear from you!