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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Tract \Tract\, n. [Abbrev.fr. tractate.]
A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short
extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion.
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The church clergy at that time writ the best collection
of tracts against popery that ever appeared. --Swift.
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{Tracts for the Times}. See {Tractarian}.
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Tract \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.
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2. A region or quantity of land or water, of indefinite
extent; an area; as, an unexplored tract of sea.
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A very high mountain joined to the mainland by a
narrow tract of earth. --Addison.
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3. Traits; features; lineaments. [Obs.]
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The discovery of a man's self by the tracts of his
countenance is a great weakness. --Bacon.
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4. The footprint of a wild beast. [Obs.] --Dryden.
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5. Track; trace. [Obs.]
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Efface all tract of its traduction. --Sir T.
Browne.
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But flies an eagle flight, bold, and forthon,
Leaving no tract behind. --Shak.
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6. Treatment; exposition. [Obs.] --Shak.
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7. Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of
speech. [Obs.] --Older.
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8. Continued or protracted duration; length; extent.
"Improved by tract of time." --Milton.
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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.
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Syn: Region; district; quarter; essay; treatise;
dissertation.
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Tract \Tract\, v. t.
To trace out; to track; also, to draw out; to protact. [Obs.]
--Spenser. --B. Jonson.
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