a. rare. [ad. late L. tractil-is, f. tract-, ppl. stem of trahĕre to draw: see -IL, -ILE.]
† 1. Capable of being drawn out to a thread.
1626. Bacon, Sylva, § 839. The Consistencies of Bodies … Fragile, Tough, Flexible, Inflexible, Tractile or to be drawne forth in length, Intractile, Porous.
2. That may be drawn, as money from a bank.
1892. Stevenson & L. Osbourne, Wrecker, vii. Eight thousand … was liquid and actually tractile in the bank.
¶ 3. Erron. used for TRACTIVE.
1839. New Monthly Mag., LVII. 539. The distinction they have drawn between the tractile capabilities of the horse and the dog.
Hence Tractility, the quality of being tractile; in quot. 1838, fig. capacity of being drawn out or protracted.
1713. Derham, Phys.-Theol., V. ix. 350. Silver, whose Ductility and Tractility are very much inferiour to those of Gold.
1838. B. Corney, Controversy, 9. His subject possesses tractility.
1871. Times-Democrat (New Orleans), 3 Jan., 2/2.
| While we wait for the wagon to take off the dragon | |
| With never a rag on, we bear and forbear, | |
| For strength and hability come of humility | |
| When ’er with tractility wise men use care. |
