tract1
n.
- a large area of land.
- an indefinitely large extent of something.
- a major passage in the body or other continuous elongated anatomical structure.
Etymology
ME (in the sense ‘duration or course of time’): from L. tractus ‘drawing, draught’, from trahere ‘draw, pull’.
tract2
n.
a short treatise in pamphlet form, typically on a religious subject.
Etymology
ME, appar. an abbrev. of L. tractatus (see tractate).
tract3
n.
(in the Roman Catholic Church) an anthem of Scriptural verses formerly replacing the alleluia in certain penitential and requiem Masses.
Etymology
ME: from med. L. tractus (cantus) ‘drawn-out (song)’, past part. of L. trahere ‘draw’.