trace¹ ◙ verb, [with obj.] 1. find or discover by investigation • （通过调查）找到，发现 »police are trying to trace a white van seen in the area. 警方正设法查找曾在此地区出现的白色货车。 find or describe the origin or development of • 追溯，追究，查考 »Bob's book traces his flying career with the RAF. 鲍勃的书追溯了他在英国皇家空军的飞行生涯。 follow or mark the course or position of (something) with one's eye, mind, or finger • 追踪，跟踪 »through the binoculars, I traced the path I had taken the night before. 我用双筒望远镜追踪了昨晚走的路。 take (a particular path or route) • 沿（特定路径）走 »a tear traced a lonely path down her cheek. 一滴泪珠孤寂地滑下她的脸颊。 2. copy (a drawing, map, or design) by drawing over its lines on a superimposed piece of transparent paper • 映描，描摹 draw (a pattern or line), especially with one's finger or toe • （尤指用手指、脚趾）画（图，线） give an outline of • 勾画出轮廓，描绘 »the article traces out some of the connections between education, qualifications, and the labour market. 这篇文章勾勒出教育，资格及劳动力市场之间的某些联系。 ◙ noun 1. a mark, object, or other indication of the existence or passing of something • 痕迹，踪迹 »remove all traces of the old adhesive. 除去所有旧的粘合剂留下的痕迹。 »[mass noun] the aircraft disappeared without trace. 飞机消失得无影无踪。 [W. Indian & US] a beaten path or small road; a track • [西印度，美] 踏出来的小路，小径；轨迹 a physical change in the brain presumed to be caused by a process of learning or memory • （大脑上的学习或记忆）痕迹，印迹 [Linguistics] (in transformational grammar) a slot from which an element has been moved by a transformation • [语言学] （转换生成语法中的）语迹 a procedure to investigate the source of something, such as the place from which a telephone call was made, or the origin of a fault in a computer program • （确定来电话者或计算机程序里确定故障源的）跟踪 2. a very small quantity, especially one too small to be accurately measured • 微量，少许（尤指太少无法精确量算） »his body contained traces of amphetamines. 他身体里有微量安非他明。 »[as modifier] trace quantities of PCBs. 微量多氯化联苯。 a slight indication or barely discernible hint of something • 丝毫；勉强可以发现的痕迹 »just a trace of a smile. 仅是一丝微笑。 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 which is being investigated • 描记线，描记图 a line which represents the projection of a curve or surface on a plane or the intersection of a curve or surface with a plane • 交线，迹线，轨迹 4. [Mathematics] the sum of the elements in the principle diagonal of a square matrix • [数] 迹
1. Middle English (first recorded as a noun in the sense 'path that someone or something takes'): from Old French trace (noun), tracier (verb), based on Latin tractus (seetract)trace² ◙ noun 1. each of the two side straps, chains, or ropes by which a horse is attached to a vehicle that it is pulling • 挽绳，缰绳
【IDIOMS】
◘ kick over the traces 1. become insubordinate or reckless • 挣脱羁绊，变得不服从，鲁莽
【语源】
1. Middle English (denoting a pair of traces): from Old French trais, plural of trait (seetrait)