Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense extracts, present participle extracting, past tense, past participle extractedpronunciation note: The verb is pronounced (ɪkstrækt). The noun is pronounced (ekstrækt).
1. verb
To extract a substance means to obtain it from something else, for example by using industrial or chemical processes.
...the traditional method of pick and shovel to extract coal. [VERB noun]
Citric acid can be extracted from the juice of oranges, lemons, limes or grapefruit. [beVERB-ed + from]
...looking at the differences in the extracted DNA. [VERB-ed]
[Also V n + from]
Synonyms: obtain, take out, distil, squeeze out More Synonyms of extract
extractionuncountable noun
Petroleum engineers plan and manage the extraction of oil. [+ of]
Synonyms: distillation, separation, derivation More Synonyms of extract
Synonyms: taking out, drawing, pulling, withdrawal More Synonyms of extract
2. verb
If you extract something from a place, you take it out or pull it out.
He extracted a small notebook from his hip pocket. [VERB noun + from]
Patterson went straight to the liquor cabinet and extracted a bottle of Scotch. [VERB noun]
She reached into the wardrobe and extracted another tracksuit. [VERB noun]
Synonyms: take out, draw, pull, remove More Synonyms of extract
3. verb
When a dentist extracts a tooth, they remove it from the patient's mouth.
A dentist may decide to extract the tooth to prevent recurrent trouble. [VERB noun]
She is to go and have a tooth extracted at 3 o'clock today. [have noun VERB-ed]
Synonyms: pull out, remove, take out, draw More Synonyms of extract
In those days, dentistry was basic. Extractions were carried out without anaesthetic.
Synonyms: distillation, separation, derivation More Synonyms of extract
Synonyms: taking out, drawing, pulling, withdrawal More Synonyms of extract
4. verb
If you say that someone extracts something, you disapprove of them because they take it for themselves to gain an advantage.
[disapproval]
The capitalist system extracts huge profits from arms production at the tax-payers'expense. [VERB noun from noun]
He sought to extract the maximum political advantage from the cut in interest rates. [VERB noun + from]
His development policies have extracted cash from the city centre. [VERB noun from noun]
5. verb
If you extract information or a response from someone, you get it from them with difficulty, because they are unwilling to say or do what you want.
He made the mistake of trying to extract further information from our director. [VERB noun + from]
He used her cash card, and the PIN number he had extracted from her, to take £500from cashpoints. [VERB noun from noun]
Synonyms: elicit, get, obtain, force More Synonyms of extract
6. verb
If you extract a particular piece of information, you obtain it from a larger amount or source of information.
I've simply extracted a few figures. [VERB noun]
Trade figures can be extracted from export-and-import documentation at ports. [beVERB-ed + from]
...files of data extracted from the departmental archives. [VERB-ed]
[Also V n + from]
7. passive verb
If part of a book or text is extractedfrom a particular book, it is printed or published.
[journalism]
This material has been extracted from 'Collins Good Wood Handbook'. [beVERB-ed + from]
[Also beVERB-ed]
8. countable noun
An extractfrom a book or piece of writing is a small part of it that is printed or published separately.
Read this extract from an information booklet about the work of an airline cabincrew. [+ from]
9. variable noun [oft noun NOUN]
An extract is a substance that has been obtained from something else, for example by means ofa chemical or industrial process.
Blend in the lemon extract, lemon peel and walnuts.
...fragrances taken from plant extracts.
Synonyms: essence, solution, concentrate, juice More Synonyms of extract
10. See also yeast extract
More Synonyms of extract
extract in British English
verb (ɪkˈstrækt)(transitive)
1.
to withdraw, pull out, or uproot by force
2.
to remove or separate
3.
to derive (pleasure, information, etc) from some source or situation
4.
to deduce or develop (a doctrine, policy, etc)
5. informal
to extort (money, etc)
6.
to obtain (a substance) from a mixture or material by a chemical or physical process, such as digestion, distillation, the action of a solvent, or mechanical separation
7.
to cut out or copy out (an article, passage, quotation, etc) from a publication
8.
to determine the value of (the root of a number)
noun (ˈɛkstrækt)
9.
something extracted, such as a part or passage from a book, speech, etc
10.
a preparation containing the active principle or concentrated essence of a material
beef extract
yeast extract
11. pharmacology
a solution of plant or animal tissue containing the active principle
▶ USAGE Extract is sometimes wrongly used where extricate would be better: he will find it difficult extricating (not extracting) himself from this situation
Derived forms
extractable (exˈtractable)
adjective
extractability (exˌtractaˈbility)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Latin extractus drawn forth, from extrahere, from trahere to drag
extract in American English
(ɛkˈstrækt; ɪkˈstrækt; for n. ˈɛksˌtrækt)
verb transitive
1.
to draw out by effort; pull out
to extract a tooth, to extract a promise from someone
2.
to remove or separate (metal) from ore
3.
to obtain (a substance, esp. an essence or concentrate) by pressing, distilling, using a solvent, etc.
to extract juice from fruit
4.
to obtain as if by drawing out; deduce (a principle), derive or elicit (information, pleasure, etc.), or the like
5.
to copy out or quote (a passage from a book, etc.); excerpt
6. Ancient Mathematics
to compute (the root of a quantity)
noun
7.
something extracted
; specif.,
a.
a concentrated form, whether solid, viscid, or liquid, of a food, flavoring, etc.
beef extract
b.
a passage selected from a book, etc.; excerpt; quotation
c. Pharmacy
the concentrated substance obtained by dissolving a drug in some solvent, as ether or alcohol, and then evaporating the preparation
SYNONYMY NOTE: extract implies a drawing out of something, as if by pulling, sucking, etc. [to extract a promise]; educe suggests a drawing out or evolving of something that is latent or undeveloped [laws were educed from tribal customs]; elicit connotes difficulty or skill in drawing out something hidden or buried [his jokes elicited no smiles]; evoke implies a calling forth or summoning, as of a mental image, by stimulating the emotions[the odor evoked a memory of childhood]; extort suggests a forcing or wresting of something, as by violence or threats [to extort a ransom]
Derived forms
extractable (exˈtractable)
adjective or exˈtractible
Word origin
ME extracten < L extractus, pp. of extrahere, to draw out < ex-, out + trahere, to draw
lemon extract, extract of lemon柠(檸)檬精 (níngméngjīng)
1 (verb)
Definition
to obtain (a substance) from a material or the ground by mining, distillation, digestion, etc.
Citric acid can be extracted from the juice of oranges.
Synonyms
obtain
take out
distil
The oil is distilled from the berries.
squeeze out
draw out
express
separate out
press out
2 (verb)
Definition
to remove from a container
He extracted a small notebook from his pocket.
Synonyms
take out
draw
He drew his dagger.
pull
Wes was in the yard pulling weeds when we drove up.
remove
Remove the cake from the oven.
withdraw
Cassandra withdrew her hand from Roger's.
He reached into his pocket and withdrew a piece of paper.
pull out
bring out
3 (verb)
Definition
to pull out or uproot by force
She has to have a tooth extracted at 3 today.
Synonyms
pull out
remove
take out
draw
She had gone to Doctor Dougall to have a bad tooth drawn.
uproot
pluck out
extirpate (archaic)
The Romans wished to extirpate Druidism in Britain.
4 (verb)
Definition
to obtain (money, information, etc.) from someone who is not willing to provide it
He tried to extract further information from the witness.
Synonyms
elicit
He was hopeful that his request would elicit a positive response.
get
The problem was how to get enough food.
obtain
force
interrogation techniques which force a confession out of a suspect
draw
He draws two conclusions from this.
gather
The people lived by fishing, gathering nuts and fruits, and hunting.
derive
exact
He has exacted a high price for his co-operation.
bring out
evoke
Hearing these songs can still evoke strong memories and emotions.
reap
We are not in this to reap immense financial rewards.
wring
He hoped to put pressure on the British and wring concessions from them.
glean
At present, we're gleaning information from all sources.
coerce
wrest
She wrested the suitcase from the chauffeur's grasp.
5 (verb)
Definition
to copy out (an article, passage, etc.) from a publication
material extracted from a range of texts
Synonyms
select
They selected only bright pupils.
quote
Then suddenly he quoted a line from the play.
cite
She cites a favourite poem by Pablo Neruda.
abstract
The author has abstracted poems from earlier books.
choose
I chose him to accompany me on my trip.
cut out
reproduce
cull
All this information had been culled from radio reports.
copy out
6 (verb)
Definition
to derive (pleasure, information, etc.) from some source
an idea he had extracted from Theodore Schwenk's `Sensitive Chaos'
Synonyms
develop
a problem which developed from a leg injury
obtain
derive
He is one of those people who derives pleasure from helping others.
evolve
Popular music evolved from folk songs.
gather
Storm clouds were gathering in the distance.
elicit
the interrogator's attempts to elicit a confession
glean
deduce
She hoped he hadn't deduced the reason for her visit.
educe
1 (noun)
Definition
something extracted, such as a passage from a book, etc.
He read us an extract from his latest novel.
Synonyms
passage
He read a passage from the Bible.
selection
excerpt
an excerpt from Tchaikovsky's `Nutcracker'
cutting
Here are the press cuttings and reviews.
clipping
I found the photograph among some old newspaper clippings.
abstract
If you want to submit a paper, you must supply an abstract.
quotation
He illustrated his argument with quotations from Pasternak.
citation
The text is full of Biblical citations.
2 (noun)
Definition
a preparation containing the concentrated essence of a substance
fragrances taken from plant extracts
Synonyms
essence
Add a few drops of vanilla essence.
solution
concentrate
juice
the juice of about six lemons
distillation
a distillation of the blooms of the Cananga Odorata tree
decoction
distillate
Usage note
People sometimes use extract where extricate would be better. Although both words can refer to a physical act of removal from a place, extract has a more general sense than extricate. Extricate has additional overtones of `difficulty', and is most commonly used with reference to getting a person – particularly yourself – out of a situation. So, for example, you might say he will find it difficult to extricate himself (not extract himself) from this situation.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abstract
Definition
to remove or extract
The author has abstracted poems from earlier books.
Synonyms
extract,
draw,
pull,
remove,
separate,
withdraw,
isolate,
pull out,
take out,
take away,
detach,
dissociate,
pluck out
in the sense of abstract
Definition
a summary
If you want to submit a paper, you must supply an abstract.
Synonyms
summary,
résumé,
outline,
extract,
essence,
summing-up,
digest,
epitome,
rundown,
condensation,
compendium,
synopsis,
précis,
recapitulation,
review,
abridgment
in the sense of choose
Definition
to select (a person, thing, or course of action) from a number of alternatives