tracing Definition

trace¹
noun

1. A mark or sign that some person, animal or thing has been in a particular place.

Thesaurus: track, proof, mark, evidence, footprint.
2. A track or footprint.
3. A very small amount that can only just be detected.

Example: found traces of cocaine
Thesaurus: fragment, bit, sprinkling, tinge, pinch, shade, hint, nuance, suggestion, touch, smidgen (slang).
4. A tracing.
5. A line marked by the moving pen of a recording instrument.
6. A visible line on a cathode-ray tube showing the path of a moving spot.
7. A supposed physical change in the brain or cells of the nervous system caused by learning.

verb traced, tracing

1. To track and discover by or as if by following clues, a trail, etc.
2. To follow step by step.

Example: trace the development of medicine
3. To make a copy of (a drawing, design, etc) by covering it with a sheet of semi-transparent paper and drawing over the visible lines.
4. To outline or sketch (an idea, plan, etc).

Thesaurus: draw, outline, sketch.
5. To investigate it and discover the cause, origin, etc of it, eg in a specified time, person, thing.

Form: trace something back (also)

Derivative: traceability
noun

Derivative: traceable
adj

Derivative: traceably
adverb

Derivative: traceless
adj

Etymology: 14c: from French tracier.

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tracing
noun

1. A copy of a drawing, etc that is made on semi-transparent paper.
2. An act, instance or the process of making such a copy.

verb

1. Present participle of trace¹.