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.
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. --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.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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