trace
4 ENTRIES FOUND:
plural
traces
plural
traces
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRACE
[count]
1
:
a very small amount of something
— sometimes used before another noun
—
see also trace element
-
He could detect a trace [=hint] of cinnamon in the cookies.
-
She spoke without a trace of irony.
-
Trace amounts of the pesticide were found in many foods.
2
:
something (such as a mark or an object) which shows that someone or something was in a particular place
-
The scientists found traces of human activity in the area.
-
The thieves left no trace of evidence behind.
-
He disappeared/vanished without a trace. [=without leaving any signs to show where he went]
3
technical
:
a line drawn by a machine to record how something (such as a heartbeat or an earthquake) changes or happens over time
2
trace
/ˈtreɪs/
verb
traces;
traced;
tracing
2
trace
/ˈtreɪs/
verb
traces;
traced;
tracing
Britannica Dictionary definition of TRACE
1
[+ object]
a
:
to draw the outline of (something)
-
The children traced their hands onto the sidewalk with chalk.
especially
:
to copy (a design or picture) by putting a thin piece of paper that you can see through over it and drawing on top of it
-
You can put a piece of paper over the pattern and trace it.
b
:
to draw (something, such as letters or a picture) especially in a careful way
— often + out
-
She traced the letters of her name.
-
I traced a circle in the air/sand (with my finger).
-
She traced the letters out on a sheet of paper.
2
[+ object]
:
to follow the path or line of (something)
-
We will need to trace the electrical wires through the walls.
-
She traced the edge of the book with her finger. [=she moved her finger along the edge of the book]
3
:
to follow (something) back to its cause, beginning, or origin
:
to find out where something came from
— often + back
[+ object]
— usually + to
-
The noise was traced to a loose bolt in the car's engine.
-
The police traced the call to a payphone.
-
He can trace his family history all the way back to the Pilgrims.
-
The word “amiable” can be traced back to the Latin word for “friend.”
[no object]
-
The word “amiable” traces back to the Latin word for “friend.”
-
a tradition that traces back to [=goes back to] the time of the ancient Romans
4
[+ object]
:
to describe or study the way (something) happened over time
-
Her book traces the development of art through the ages.
5
[+ object]
:
to try to find (someone or something) by collecting and studying evidence
-
The detective is in charge of tracing [=(more commonly) tracking down] missing persons.
-
The word “amiable” is traceable to the Latin word for “friend.”
-
This phone call is traceable.
