WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Tract
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Abbrev.fr. tractate.]
Definition : Defn: A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion. The church clergy at that writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared. Swift. Tracts for the Times. See Tractarian.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Tract
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [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.]
Definition : 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. [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.)

Defn: 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 Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Tract
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : Defn: To trace out; to track; also, to draw out; to protact. [Obs.] Spenser. B. Jonson.

t.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913