Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tract \Tract\, n. [Abbrev.fr. tractate.]
   A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short
   extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion.

         The church clergy at that time writ the best collection
         of tracts against popery that ever appeared. --Swift.

   {Tracts for the Times}. See {Tractarian}.