The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Tract \Tract\, n. [Abbrev.fr. tractate.] A written discourse or dissertation, generally of short extent; a short treatise, especially on practical religion. [1913 Webster] The church clergy at that time writ the best collection of tracts against popery that ever appeared. --Swift. [1913 Webster] Tracts for the Times. See Tractarian. [1913 Webster]