Tract

[Lat. tractus, from trahere, tractum, to draw; It. tratto, Sp. trecho, trato, Pr. trait, trag, trah, trai, O. Fr. traict, N. Fr. trait]

1. Something drawn out or extended.
2. A region, or quantity of land or water, of indefinite extent. “A high mountain joined to the main land by a narrow tract of earth.” Addison.
3. Traits; features; lineaments. [Obs.]

The discovery of a man's self by the tract of his countenance is a great weakness. Bacon. 4. A treatise; a written discourse or dissertation, generally not of great extent; especially, a short treatise on practical religion. The church clergy at that time writ the best collection of tracts against popery. Swift.

5. The trace or footing of a wild beast. [Obs.]
6. Treatment; exposition. [Obs.] Shak.
7. Track. [Obs.]

Efface all tract of its traduction. Browne.

8. Continuity or extension of any thing; as, a tract of speech. [Obs.]
9. Continued or protracted duration; length; extent. “Improved by tract of time.” Milton.

Syn.—Region; district; quarter; essay; treatise; dissertation.