Definition of Extract

Verb: extract 'ek,strakt

Remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
"extract a bad tooth";
- pull out, pull, pull up, take out, draw out
Get despite difficulties or obstacles
"I extracted a promise from the Dean for two new positions"
Deduce (a principle) or construe (a meaning)
"We extracted some interesting linguistic data from the native informant";
- educe, evoke, elicit, draw out
(chemistry) purify or isolate using distillation
"extract the essence of this compound";
- distill [N. Amer], distil [Brit]
(mining) separate (a metal) from an ore
Obtain from a substance, as by mechanical action
"Italians extract coffee rather than filter it";
- press out, express
Take out of a literary work in order to cite or copy
- excerpt, take out
(mathematics) calculate the root of a number

Noun: extract 'ek,strakt

A solution obtained by steeping or soaking a substance (usually in water)
- infusion
A passage selected from a larger work
"he presented extracts from William James' philosophical writings";
- excerpt, excerption, selection