tract
1[ trakt ]
/ trækt /
noun
Anatomy.
- a definite region or area of the body, especially a group, series, or system of related parts or organs: the digestive tract.
- a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin and destination.
Roman Catholic Church. an anthem consisting of verses of Scripture, sung after the gradual in the Mass from Septuagesima until the day before Easter and on certain other occasions, taking the place of the alleluias and the verse that ordinarily accompany the gradual.
Ornithology. a pteryla.
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Origin of tract
1First recorded in 1350–1400; (in senses referring to extent of space) from Latin tractus “stretch (of space or time), a drawing out,” equivalent to trac-, variant stem of trahere “to draw” + -tus suffix of verbal action; def. 4 is from Medieval Latin tractus, apparently identical with the above, though literal sense unexplained
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH tract
track, tractWords nearby tract
Definition for tract (2 of 2)
tract2
[ trakt ]
/ trækt /
noun
a brief treatise or pamphlet for general distribution, usually on a religious or political topic.
Origin of tract
2Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for tract
British Dictionary definitions for tract (1 of 3)
tract1
/ (trækt) /
noun
an extended area, as of land
anatomy a system of organs, glands, or other tissues that has a particular functionthe digestive tract
a bundle of nerve fibres having the same function, origin, and terminationthe optic tract
archaic an extended period of time
Word Origin for tract
C15: from Latin tractus a stretching out, from trahere to drag
British Dictionary definitions for tract (2 of 3)
tract2
/ (trækt) /
noun
a treatise or pamphlet, esp a religious or moralistic one
Word Origin for tract
C15: from Latin tractātus tractate
British Dictionary definitions for tract (3 of 3)
tract3
/ (trækt) /
noun
RC Church an anthem in some Masses
Word Origin for tract
C14: from Medieval Latin tractus cantus extended song; see tract 1
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for tract
tract
[ trăkt ]
n.
An elongated assembly of tissue or organs having a common origin, function, and termination, or a serial arrangement having a common function.
A bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for tract
tract
[ trăkt ]
A series of body organs that work together to perform a specialized function, such as digestion.
A bundle of nerve fibers, especially in the central nervous system, that begin and end in the same place and share a common function.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.