What is "extractive principle"

Extract \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 dissolving 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.

n. a peculiar principle once erroneously supposed to form the basis of all vegetable extracts