Definition of extract
- v. t. - To draw out or forth; to pull out; to remove forcibly
from a fixed position, as by traction or suction, etc.; as, to extract
a tooth from its socket, a stump from the earth, a splinter from the
finger.
- v. t. - To withdraw by expression, distillation, or other
mechanical or chemical process; as, to extract an essence. Cf.
Abstract, v. t., 6.
- v. t. - To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote,
as a passage from a book.
- n. - That which is extracted or drawn out.
- n. - A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a
citation; a quotation.
- n. - A decoction, solution, or infusion made by drawing out
from any substance that which gives it its essential and characteristic
virtue; essence; as, extract of beef; extract of dandelion; also, any
substance so extracted, and characteristic of that from which it is
obtained; as, quinine is the most important extract of Peruvian bark.
- n. - A solid preparation obtained by evaporating a solution of
a drug, etc., or the fresh juice of a plant; -- distinguished from an
abstract. See Abstract, n., 4.
- n. - A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the
basis of all vegetable extracts; -- called also the extractive
principle.
- n. - Extraction; descent.
- n. - A draught or copy of writing; certified copy of the
proceedings in an action and the judgement therein, with an order for
execution.