tract
/trækt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- An extended area of land: A large, continuous stretch of land, often with a specific characteristic or use.
- A system of body parts that together serve a particular purpose: A series of connected organs or structures in the body that perform a specific function.
- A bundle of nerve fibers: In neuroanatomy, a collection of nerve fibers (axons) that follow the same path within the central nervous system.
- A brief treatise or pamphlet: A short, formal written work, often on a religious or political subject, published as a small booklet.
Usage Examples
- Extended area of land:
- Vast tracts of forest were cleared for agriculture.
- They own a tract of land in the countryside.
- System of body parts:
- The infection spread to her respiratory tract.
- The digestive tract processes the food we eat.
- Bundle of nerve fibers:
- The optic tract carries visual information to the brain.
- Damage to the spinal tract can cause paralysis.
- Brief treatise or pamphlet:
- He wrote a tract on the importance of free speech.
- Religious tracts were distributed at the event.
Advanced Usage
- "Tract housing": Refers to a large area of land developed with many similar houses built at the same time.
- The suburb was filled with monotonous tract housing.
- In a figurative sense: Can be used to describe a large, continuous expanse of something non-physical, like time or an idea.
- He spoke for a tract of time without interruption. (This usage is somewhat archaic or literary.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tractate (n): A formal, written treatise, often longer or more detailed than a tract.
- The scholar produced a lengthy tractate on medieval law.
- Traction (n): The action of drawing or pulling something over a surface; grip. (Note: This is a related but distinct word with a different primary meaning).
- The tires lost traction on the icy road.
Synonyms
- Region, expanse, stretch: For an area of land.
- System, channel, passage: For a bodily system.
- Bundle, pathway: For nerve fibers.
- Pamphlet, booklet, dissertation: For a short treatise.
Related Phrases
- Nerve tract: Specifically refers to the bundle of nerve fibers.
- The corticospinal tract is a major nerve tract.
- Digestive tract: Specifically refers to the bodily system from mouth to anus.
- A healthy digestive tract is essential for well-being.
Related Idioms
- Not a single idiom commonly features the word "tract" as its key component. The word is primarily used in its literal senses within specialized (anatomical, geographical, theological) or formal contexts.
Noun
- a bundle of myelinated nerve fibers following a path through the brain
- a brief treatise on a subject of interest; published in the form of a booklet
- a system of body parts that together serve some particular purpose
- an extended area of land