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TRACE
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (noun)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
line (something (as a cord or rope) that is long and thin and flexible)
Holonyms ("trace" is a part of...):
harness (stable gear consisting of an arrangement of leather straps fitted to a draft animal so that it can be attached to and pull a cart)
Sense 2
Meaning:
A drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting man-made objects
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
drawing (a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines)
Derivation:
trace (make a mark or lines on a surface)
trace (copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of)
Sense 3
Meaning:
An indication that something has been present
Example:
a tincture of condescension
Synonyms:
shadow; tincture; trace; vestige
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
indicant; indication (something that serves to indicate or suggest)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "trace"):
footprint (a trace suggesting that something was once present or felt or otherwise important)
Sense 4
Meaning:
A visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
mark; print (a visible indication made on a surface)
Derivation:
trace (to go back over again)
trace (discover traces of)
Sense 5
Meaning:
A suggestion of some quality
Example:
he detected a ghost of a smile on her face
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
proffer; proposition; suggestion (a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection)
Sense 6
Meaning:
A just detectable amount
Example:
a tint of glamour
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure
Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):
small indefinite amount; small indefinite quantity (an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "trace"):
spark (a small but noticeable trace of some quality that might become stronger)
Derivation:
trace (discover traces of)
II. (verb)
Verb forms
Present simple: I / you / we / they trace ... he / she / it traces
Past simple: traced
Past participle: traced
-ing form: tracing
Sense 1
Meaning:
Read with difficulty
Example:
The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs
Synonyms:
decipher; trace
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
read (interpret something that is written or printed)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 2
Meaning:
Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
Example:
trace one's ancestry
Synonyms:
follow; trace
Classified under:
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
analyse; analyze; canvass; examine; study (consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning)
Verb group:
follow; keep abreast; keep up (keep informed)
follow; keep an eye on; observe; watch; watch over (follow with the eyes or the mind)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sense 3
Meaning:
Make a mark or lines on a surface
Example:
trace the outline of a figure in the sand
Synonyms:
delineate; describe; draw; line; trace
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
mark (make or leave a mark on)
Verb group:
draw (engage in drawing)
draw (represent by making a drawing of, as with a pencil, chalk, etc. on a surface)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "trace"):
construct (draw with suitable instruments and under specified conditions)
inscribe (draw within a figure so as to touch in as many places as possible)
circumscribe (draw a line around)
circumscribe (to draw a geometric figure around another figure so that the two are in contact but do not intersect)
write (mark or trace on a surface)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP
Derivation:
trace (a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image)
tracer (an instrument used to make tracings)
tracing (the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline)
Sense 4
Meaning:
Copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of
Example:
trace a pattern
Classified under:
Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
copy; re-create (make a replica of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
trace (a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image)
tracer (an instrument used to make tracings)
Sense 5
Meaning:
Make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along
Example:
The women traced the pasture
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
continue; go forward; proceed (move ahead; travel onward in time or space)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Sense 6
Meaning:
Pursue or chase relentlessly
Example:
the detectives hounded the suspect until they found him
Synonyms:
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
chase; chase after; dog; give chase; go after; tag; tail; track; trail (go after with the intent to catch)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "trace"):
ferret (hound or harry relentlessly)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Sense 7
Meaning:
To go back over again
Example:
trace your path
Synonyms:
retrace; trace
Classified under:
Verbs of walking, flying, swimming
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
return (go or come back to place, condition, or activity where one has been before)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
trace (a visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle)
Sense 8
Meaning:
Discover traces of
Example:
She traced the circumstances of her birth
Classified under:
Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling
Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):
detect; discover; find; notice; observe (discover or determine the existence, presence, or fact of)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Derivation:
trace (a visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle)
trace (a just detectable amount)
Context examples:
Cassini has observed that this vortex is enriched in trace gases — gases that are otherwise quite rare in Titan's atmosphere.
(Cassini Sees Dramatic Seasonal Changes on Titan, NASA)
This protein is involved in trace metal binding.
(Metallothionein-1G, NCI Thesaurus)
I found traces of the fellow's camp. Now look at this.
(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
The electrolyte-free parenteral nutrition emulsion contains no electrolytes, trace elements and vitamins.
(Electrolyte-free Parenteral Nutrition Emulsion, NCI Thesaurus)
Let us see if we can pick up the trace again.
(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
Traces of genes from both species occur in some modern humans.
(Fossil genome shows hybrid of two extinct species of human, Wikinews)
And, besides, no traces of them were to be found on the Barnet road.
(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)
It is possible to trace the data or samples back to the individual by the use of both coding keys.
(Double Coded Genomic Data and Samples, NCI Thesaurus)
The developmental history of a differentiated cell as traced from the division of a stem cell.
(Cell Lineage, NCI Thesaurus)
But Marianne, who saw his agitation, and could easily trace it to whatever cause best pleased herself, was perfectly satisfied, and soon talked of something else.
(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)
