Tract
Tract , noun
[Abbrev.from tractate.]
A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion.
The church clergy at that time writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared.
Collocations (1)
Tracts for the Times , See Tractarian.
Tract , noun
[Latin 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 compare Tratt.]
1.
Something drawn out or extended; expanse.
The deep tract of hell.
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 narrow tract of earth.
3.
Traits; features; lineaments. [Obsolete]
The discovery of a man's self by the tracts of his countenance is a great weakness.
4.
The footprint of a wild beast. [Obsolete] — Dryden
5.
Track; trace. [Obsolete]
Efface all tract of its traduction.
But flies an eagle flight, bold, and forthon,
Leaving no tract behind.
6.
Treatment; exposition. [Obsolete] — Shakespeare
7.
Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of speech. [Obsolete] — Older
8.
Continued or protracted duration; length; extent.
Improved by tract of time.
9.
(Roman Catholic Church) 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.
Tract , transitive verb
To trace out; to track; also, to draw out; to protact. [Obsolete] — Spenser