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.
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. Dryden.
5. Track; trace.
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. Shak.
7. Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of speech. 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.