\Ex*tract"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Extracted}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Extracting}.] [L. extractus, p. p. of extrahere to
extract; ex out + trahere to draw. See {Trace}, and cf.
{Estreat}.]
1. 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.
         The bee Sits on the bloom extracting liquid sweet.
                                               --Milton.
2. To withdraw by expression, distillation, or other
   mechanical or chemical process; as, to extract an essence.
   Cf. {Abstract}, v. t., 6.
         Sunbeams may be extracted from cucumbers, but the
         process is tedious.
3. To take by selection; to choose out; to cite or quote, as
   a passage from a book.
         I have extracted out of that pamphlet a few
         notorious falsehoods.                 --Swift.
{To extract the root} (Math.), to ascertain the root of a
   number or quantity.

\Ex"tract`\, n.
1. That which is extracted or drawn out.
2. A portion of a book or document, separately transcribed; a
   citation; a quotation.
3. 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.
4. (Med.) 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.
5. (Old Chem.) A peculiar principle once erroneously supposed
   to form the basis of all vegetable extracts; -- called
   also the {extractive principle}. [Obs.]
6. Extraction; descent. [Obs.] --South.
7. (Scots Law) A draught or copy of writing; certified copy
   of the proceedings in an action and the judgement therein,
   with an order for execution. --Tomlins.
{Fluid extract} (Med.), a concentrated liquid preparation,
   containing a definite proportion of the active principles
   of a medicinal substance. At present a fluid gram of
   extract should represent a gram of the crude drug.