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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A region or quantity of land or water, of indefinite extent; an area; as, an unexplored tract of sea. [ 1913 Webster ] A very high mountain joined to the mainland by a narrow tract of earth. Addison. [ 1913 Webster ] 3. Traits; features; lineaments. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] The discovery of a man's self by the tracts of his countenance is a great weakness. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ] 4. The footprint of a wild beast. [ Obs. ] Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ] 5. Track; trace. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ] Efface all tract of its traduction. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ] But flies an eagle flight, bold, and forthon, Leaving no tract behind. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 6. Treatment; exposition. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ] 7. Continuity or extension of anything; as, the tract of speech. [ Obs. ] Older. [ 1913 Webster ] 8. Continued or protracted duration; length; extent. “Improved by tract of time.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] Syn. -- Region; district; quarter; essay; treatise; dissertation. [ 1913 Webster ] |