Obs. [f. L. tract-, ppl. stem of trahĕre to draw; cf. attract, contract, extract, etc. f. ppl. stem. In some uses associated with TRACE v.1 and TRACK v.1 and 2.]
I. 1. trans. To draw, pull along, haul, tow. (Superseded by TRACK v.2)
1523. in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm., App. V. 328. All … gools and marchandis as shalbe labored, tracted, and adventured by ony of the inhabitants of this citie … oute of the haven and porte of the same, into ony where else.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., I. xi. 123. To carry a great Number of Men for tracting them up against the Stream, when the Winds are against them.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), s.v. Tract-scout [= Du. trekschuit], It is usually tracted by a horse.
1769. [see tracting below].
2. To lengthen out, prolong, protract (time); to spend or waste in delay; to delay, put off.
1527. Knight, in Pocock, Rec. Ref., I. xxviii. 57. The rivers not being always passable he hath of necessity tracted the time.
1529. in Froude, Hist. Eng. (1856), I. iii. 192. The causes depending … may … be in such wise tracted and delayed, as your subjects suing in the same shall be put to importable charges.
1579–80. North, Plutarch (1595), 606. He tracted time, & gaue them leisure to prepare to encounter his force.
1647. Lilly, Chr. Astrol., xlix. 303. By dallying and tracting the time there shall be trouble.
b. intr. To be drawn out or prolonged, to continue: in pres. pple. protracted, continuous.
1592. [see tracting below].
3. fig. To draw on, draw out; to induce.
1615. [see tracting below].
II. 4. To go or travel along, tread, pursue (a path): = TRACE v.1 3. Cf. TRACK v.1 3. (In quots. fig.)
1579. Twyne, Phisicke agst. Fort., II. xxxv. 212. This path is but litle tracted.
1613. Marston, Insatiate Countess, I. A ij b. [Death] From whose sterne Caue none tracts a backward path.
5. To pursue or follow up by the footprints or traces; also fig.: TRACE v.1 5, TRACK v.1 1.
1577. Holinshed, Chron., II. 1007/2. In the ende, they brought him to tract the steppes of lewde demeanor.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., II. i. 12. By what meanes may I his footing tract? Ibid., vi. 39. As Shepheardes curre … Hath tracted forth some salvage beastes trade [= tread]. Ibid. (1596), VI. vii. 3. Well did he tract his steps as he did ryde.
1615. Sir E. Hoby, Curry-combe, To Rdr. 2. Hee that tracts a Fugitiue must take the By-path.
1654. Flecknoe, Ten Years Trav., 43. Which false rumours I tracted from the very Fountain.
6. To draw, delineate: = TRACE v.1 11.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., VI. xviii. (1623), 99. Having seen it [a wall] so tracted in an ancient Chorographicall Chart.
7. intr. ? To border upon. rare–1.
1611. Speed, Theat. Gt. Brit., xiv. (1614), 27/1. [Of Barkshire] the South neere Kennet doth tract upon Hampshire.
Hence † Tracting vbl. sb. and ppl. a.
1535. Act 27 Hen. VIII., c. 3. Without frustrate or wilfull delaye or tractyng of the tyme.
1592. Warner, Alb. Eng., VII. xxxvii. (1612), 179. I heard a tracting sound.
1615. J. Stephens, Ess. & Char., Huntsman (1857), 202. The names of Foxe, Hare, and Bucke, be all tracting sillables; sufficient to furnish fifteen meales with long discourse in the adventures of each. Foxe drawes in his exploits done against Cubbes… Hare brings out his encounters [etc.].
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Tracting, the act of pulling any vessel … along the stream of a canal or river, by means of a rope.
