TRACE

Pronunciation (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does trace mean? 

• TRACE (noun)
  The noun TRACE has 6 senses:

1. a just detectable amount
2. an indication that something has been present
3. a suggestion of some quality
4. a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
5. either of two lines that connect a horse's harness to a wagon or other vehicle or to a whiffletree
6. a visible mark (as a footprint) left by the passage of person or animal or vehicle

  Familiarity information: TRACE used as a noun is common.

• TRACE (verb)
  The verb TRACE has 8 senses:

1. follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
2. make a mark or lines on a surface
3. to go back over again
4. pursue or chase relentlessly
5. discover traces of
6. make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along
7. copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of
8. read with difficulty

  Familiarity information: TRACE used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• TRACE (noun)

Sense 1

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A just detectable amount

Classified under:

Nouns denoting quantities and units of measure

Synonyms:

trace; suggestion; hint

Context example:

he speaks French with a trace of an accent

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)

Sense 2

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

An indication that something has been present

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

vestige; tincture; trace; shadow

Context examples:

there wasn't a trace of evidence for the claim / a tincture of condescension

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 3

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

A suggestion of some quality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

touch; trace; ghost

Context examples:

there was a touch of sarcasm in his tone / he detected a ghost of a smile on her face

Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):

proffer; proposition; suggestion (a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection)

Sense 4

trace [BACK TO TOP]

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Synonyms:

tracing; trace

Hypernyms ("trace" is a kind of...):

drawing (a representation of forms or objects on a surface by means of lines)

Sense 5

trace [BACK TO TOP]

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 6

trace [BACK TO TOP]

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)

• TRACE (verb)

Sense 1

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

trace; follow

Context examples:

We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba / trace the student's progress

Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):

analyse; analyze; canvas; canvass; examine; study (consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Make a mark or lines on a surface

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

trace; draw; line; delineate; describe

Context examples:

draw a line / trace the outline of a figure in the sand

Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):

mark (make or leave a mark on)

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

Sense 3

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

To go back over again

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

retrace; trace

Context examples:

we retraced the route we took last summer / trace your path

Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):

come back; get back; go back; return (come back to place where one has been before, or return to a previous activity)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Pursue or chase relentlessly

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

hound; hunt; trace

Context examples:

The hunters traced the deer into the woods / the detectives hounded the suspect until they found the him

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 5

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Discover traces of

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Context example:

She traced the circumstances of her birth

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

Sense 6

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Context examples:

The children traced along the edge of the dark forest / The women traced the pasture

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 7

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context examples:

trace a design / trace a pattern

Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):

copy; re-create (make a replica of)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 8

trace [BACK TO TOP]

Meaning:

Read with difficulty

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

decipher; trace

Context examples:

Can you decipher this letter? / The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs

Hypernyms (to "trace" is one way to...):

read (interpret something that is written or printed)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something