tract

Etymology 1

From Middle English tract, tracte, traht (“a treatise, exposition, commentary”), from Old English traht, tract (“a treatise, exposition, commentary, text, passage”); and also from Middle English tract, tracte (“an expanse of space or time”); both from Latin tractus (“a haul, drawing, a drawing out”), the perfect passive participle of trahō. Doublet of trait.

noun

1. An area or expanse.
   an unexplored tract of sea
2. (anatomy) A series of connected body organs, such as the digestive tract.
3. A small booklet such as a pamphlet, often for promotional or informational uses.
4. A brief treatise or discourse on a subject.
   The church clergy at that writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared. 1731, Jonathan Swift, The Presbyterians Plea of Merit
5. A commentator's view or perspective on a subject.
6. Continued or protracted duration, length, extent
7. (Roman Catholicism) Part of the proper of the liturgical celebration of the Eucharist for many Christian denominations, used instead of the alleluia during Lenten or pre-Lenten seasons, in a Requiem Mass, and on a few other penitential occasions.
8. (obsolete) Continuity or extension of anything.
   in tract of speech 1669, William Holder, Elements of Speech
9. (obsolete) Traits; features; lineaments.
10. (obsolete) The footprint of a wild animal.
11. (obsolete) Track; trace.
12. (obsolete) Treatment; exposition.

Etymology 2

From Latin tractus, the participle stem of trahere (“to pull, drag”).

verb

1. (obsolete) To pursue, follow; to track.
2. (obsolete) To draw out; to protract.