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trace
trace1 / trās/ • v. [tr.] 1. find or discover by investigation: police are trying to trace a white van seen in the area. ∎ find or describe the origin or development of: Bob's book traces his flying career with the Marines. ∎ follow or mark the course or position of (something) with one's eye, mind, or finger: through the binoculars, I traced the path I had taken the night before. ∎ take (a particular path or route): a tear traced a lonely path down her cheek. 2. copy (a drawing, map, or design) by drawing over its lines on a superimposed piece of transparent paper. ∎ draw (a pattern or line), esp. with one's finger or toe. ∎ give an outline of: the article traces out some of the connections between education, qualifications, and the labor market. • n. 1. a mark, object, or other indication of the existence or passing of something: remove all traces of the old adhesive | the aircraft disappeared without trace. ∎ a beaten path or small road; a track. ∎ a physical change in the brain presumed to be caused by a process of learning or memory. ∎ a procedure to investigate the source of something, such as the place from which a telephone call was made, or the origin of an error in a computer program. 2. a very small quantity, esp. one too small to be accurately measured: his body contained traces of amphetamines | [as adj.] trace quantities of PCBs. ∎ a slight indication or barely discernible hint of something: just a trace of a smile. 3. a line or pattern displayed by an instrument using a moving pen or a luminous spot on a screen to show the existence or nature of something that is being investigated. ∎ a line that represents the projection of a curve or surface on a plane or the intersection of a curve or surface with a plane. 4. Math. the sum of the elements in the principle diagonal of a square matrix. DERIVATIVES: trace·a·bil·i·ty / ˌtrāsəˈbilitē/ n. trace·a·ble adj. trace·less adj. trace2 • n. each of the two side straps, chains, or ropes by which a horse is attached to a vehicle that it is pulling. |
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Cite this article
"trace." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "trace." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-trace.html "trace." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-trace.html |
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trace
trace1 †path, course XIII; †series of footprints, track XIV; vestige, mark XVII. — (O)F., f. corr. vb. OF. tracier (mod. tracer) :- Rom. *tractiāre, f. L. tractus TRACT3.
So trace vb. A. proceed in a line or track; B. make marks on a plan, etc. XIV. — OF. Hence tracery †place for tracing XV; intersecting rib-work in a Gothic window XVII. |
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T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trace.html T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trace.html |
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trace
trace2 pair of ropes, etc. attached to the collar of a draught animal XIV; each of these XV. ME. trais, first as coll. pl., later as sg. — OF. trais, pl. of trait draught, harness-strap :- L. tractus draught, f. pp. stem of trahere draw.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trace1.html T. F. HOAD. "trace." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-trace1.html |
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trace
trace A recorded data-set for one channel. On a seismic-refraction record made for a 12-channel seismograph, each channel would provide one wave-form which, when viewed with the others, would give a seismic record. See also WIGGLE TRACE.
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Cite this article
AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "trace." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "trace." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-trace.html AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY. "trace." A Dictionary of Earth Sciences. 1999. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O13-trace.html |
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Trace
Traceof hares: hares collectively ; a line or train of people, 1385. |
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"Trace." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Trace." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505301609.html "Trace." Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. 1985. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-2505301609.html |
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TRACE
TRACE Abbr. for Transition Region and Coronal Explorer.
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"TRACE." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "TRACE." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-TRACE.html "TRACE." A Dictionary of Astronomy. 1997. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O80-TRACE.html |
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trace
trace
•abase, ace, apace, backspace, base, bass, brace, case, chase, dace, efface, embrace, encase, enchase, enlace, face, grace, interlace, interspace, in-your-face, lace, mace, misplace, outface, outpace, pace, place, plaice, race, space, Thrace, trace, upper case
•airbase • freebase • wheelbase
•database • steeplechase • paperchase
•paleface • typeface • whiteface
•boldface • coalface • interface
•staircase • briefcase • slipcase
•packing case • doorcase • showcase
•notecase • pillowcase • suitcase
•bookcase • nutcase • marketplace
•anyplace • everyplace • showplace
•shoelace • bootlace • someplace
•Lovelace • fireplace • commonplace
•workplace • birthplace • tenace
•airspace • aerospace • hyperspace
•carapace • workspace • ratrace
•millrace • Fuentes • rosace
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Cite this article
"trace." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "trace." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-trace.html "trace." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-trace.html |
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TRACE
TRACE (treɪs) task reporting and current evaluation
• Aeronautics test equipment for rapid automatic checkout evaluation |
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Cite this article
FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "TRACE." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "TRACE." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-TRACE.html FRAN ALEXANDER , PETER BLAIR , JOHN DAINTITH , ALICE GRANDISON , VALERIE ILLINGWORTH , ELIZABETH MARTIN , ANNE STIBBS , JUDY PEARSALL , and SARA TULLOCH. "TRACE." The Oxford Dictionary of Abbreviations. 1998. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O25-TRACE.html |
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