tracing Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun the act of drawing a plan or diagram or outline
   
2. noun a drawing created by superimposing a semitransparent sheet of paper on the original image and copying on it the lines of the original image
   trace.
   
3. noun the discovery and description of the course of development of something
   
   • the tracing of genealogies
4. verb follow, discover, or ascertain the course of development of something
   follow; trace.
   
   • We must follow closely the economic development is Cuba
   • trace the student's progress
5. verb make a mark or lines on a surface
   delineate; draw; describe; line; trace.
   
   • draw a line
   • trace the outline of a figure in the sand
6. verb to go back over again
   retrace; trace.
   
   • we retraced the route we took last summer
   • trace your path
7. verb pursue or chase relentlessly
   hunt; hound; trace.
   
   • The hunters traced the deer into the woods
   • the detectives hounded the suspect until they found him
8. verb discover traces of
   trace.
   
   • She traced the circumstances of her birth
9. verb make one's course or travel along a path; travel or pass over, around, or along
   trace.
   
   • The children traced along the edge of the dark forest
   • The women traced the pasture
10. verb copy by following the lines of the original drawing on a transparent sheet placed upon it; make a tracing of
    trace.
    
    • trace a design
    • trace a pattern
11. verb read with difficulty
    decipher; trace.
    
    • Can you decipher this letter?
    • The archeologist traced the hieroglyphs

WordNet