[ex.tract] vt [ME, fr. L extractus, pp. of extrahere, fr. ex- + trahere to draw] (15c) 1 a: to draw forth (as by research) "~ data" b: to pull or take out forcibly "~ed a wisdom tooth" c: to obtain by much effort from someone unwilling "~ed a confession"
2: to withdraw (as a juice or fraction) by physical or chemical process; also: to treat with a solvent so as to remove a soluble substance
3: to separate (a metal) from an ore
4: to determine (a mathematical root) by calculation
5: to select (excerpts) and copy out or cite syn see educe -- ex.tract.abil.i.ty n -- ex.tract.able adj
[2]ex.tract n (15c) 1: a selection from a writing or discourse: excerpt
2: a product (as an essence or concentrate) prepared by extracting; esp: a solution (as in alcohol) of essential constituents of a complex material (as meat or an aromatic plant)