Tract (?), n. [Abbrev.fr. tractate.]
A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion.
The church clergy at that writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared.
Swift.
Tracts for the Times. See Tractarian.
© Webster 1913.
Tract, n. [L. tractus a drawing, train, track, course, tract of land, from trahere tractum, to draw. Senses 4 and 5 are perhaps due to confusion with track. See Trace,v., and cf. Tratt.]
1.
Something drawn out or extended; expanse.
"The deep
tract of hell."
Milton.
2.
A region or quantity of land or water, of indefinite extent; an area; as, an unexplored tract of sea.
A very high mountain joined to the mainland by a narrowtract of earth.
Addison.
3.
Traits; features; lineaments.
[Obs.]
The discovery of a man's self by the tracts of his countenance is a great weakness.
Bacon.
4.
The footprint of a wild beast.
[Obs.]
Dryden.
5.
Track; trace.
[Obs.]
Efface all tract of its traduction.
Sir T. Browne.
But flies an eagle flight, bold, and forthon,
Leaving no tract behind.
Shak.
6.
Treatment; exposition.
[Obs.]
Shak.
7.
Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of speech.
[Obs.]
Older.
8.
Continued or protracted duration; length; extent.
"Improved by
tract of time."
Milton.
9. R. C. Ch.
Verses of Scripture sung at Mass, instead of the Alleluia, from Septuagesima Sunday till the Saturday befor Easter;-so called because sung tractim,or without a break, by one voice, instead of by many as in the antiphons.
Syn. -- Region; district; quarter; essay; treatise; dissertation.
© Webster 1913.
Tract, v. t.
To trace out; to track; also, to draw out; to protact.
[Obs.]
Spenser. B. Jonson.
© Webster 1913.