Give a protracted speech (5)

I believe the answer is:

drawl

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'speech' is the definition.
(I have seen 'Slow speech ' mean 'drawl' so perhaps 'speech' could also mean 'drawl')

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

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(Other definitions for drawl that I've seen before include "Way of speaking slowly" , "Speak slowly with long vowels sounds" , "Actor James Stewart's way of talking" , "Speak lazily with long vowel sounds" , "Speak slowly and lazily" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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