tractus Latin · revision 7765

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=Sallust|origins=la trahō}}

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''tractus''' ''m'' (genitive tractūs); fourth declension^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is from [[trahō]] “to draw, drag” with the suffix of action nouns [[-tus]].^(OLD 2012)^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The OLD's earliest citation is from Sallust, of dragging.^(OLD 2012) Köbler's first source is Cicero; he dates Sallust 86–34 BC.^(Köbler 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It meant dragging, pulling along, as Virgil's wheel groaning as it is drawn, and in Ovid the gliding of a snake.^(OLD 2012)^(Lewis & Short 1879)^(Gaffiot 2016) It meant the course of things, of heavenly bodies, and in Cicero of style an even flow.^(OLD 2012) In Vitruvius it meant drawing in air, in Ovid stretching out, and in Lucretius a track or trail, in Cicero the drawing of a line.^(OLD 2012) From Sallust it meant extent, distance, and in Cicero a tract, region of land, sea or air.^(OLD 2012) In Tacitus it meant prolongation in time, and in Lucretius a period.^(OLD 2012) Döderlein explains that ''locus'' is a space as a point, while ''tractus'' is a line extending into the distance, a tract of country.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant the Tract, formerly part of the Mass, and a tract, treatise, course.^(Stelten 1995) Medieval Latin used it for a place for fishing.^(Niermeyer 1976) It survives in French ''trait'', which gave [[en|trait]] in the 1580s, and in Italian ''tratto''.^(Wiktionary)^(Etymonline) [[en|tract]] came in the mid-15th century, first a period of time.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 86–34 BC – Sallust uses it of dragging and of extent.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of a region.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * 98–115 AD – Tacitus uses it of prolongation in time.^(OLD 2012)^(Köbler 2010)

+ * mid-15th century – English ''tract'' is recorded.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Dragging, pulling.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A course; of style, flow.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Drawing in; drawing out.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A track, trail; the drawing of a line.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Extent, distance.^(OLD 2012)

+ # A [[m|en|tract]], region.^(OLD 2012)

+ # Prolongation; a period.^(OLD 2012)

+ # ''(Ecclesiastical Latin)'' The Tract of the Mass; a [[m|en|treatise]].^(Stelten 1995)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[tractuōsus]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[trahō]]

+ * [[tractō]]

+ * [[en|tract]]

+ * [[en|trait]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Döderlein distinguishes it from [[locus]], a space thought of as a point.^(Döderlein 1874)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}