trail
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Related to trail: Audit trail
trail
(trāl)v. trailed, trail·ing, trails
v.tr.
1. To allow to drag or stream behind, as along the ground: The dog ran off, trailing its leash.
2. To drag (the body, for example) wearily or heavily.
3.
a. To follow the traces or scent of, as in hunting; track.
b. To follow the course taken by; pursue: trail a fugitive.
4. To follow behind: several cruisers trailed by an escorting destroyer.
5. To lag behind (an opponent): trailed the league leader by four games.
v.intr.
1. To drag or be dragged along, brushing the ground: The queen's long robe trailed behind.
2. To extend, grow, or droop loosely over a surface: vines trailing through the garden.
3. To drift in a thin stream: smoke trailing from a dying fire.
4. To become gradually fainter; dwindle: His voice trailed off in confusion.
5. To walk or proceed with dragging steps; trudge: trailed along in glum silence.
6. To be behind in competition; lag: trailing by two goals in the second period.
n.
1.
a. A marked or beaten path, as through woods or wilderness.
b. An overland route: the pioneers' trail across the prairies.
c. A marked course through one or more bodies of water, as for recreational boaters or divers.
2.
a. A mark, trace, course, or path left by a moving body.
b. The scent of a person or animal: The dogs lost the trail of the fox.
3. Something that is drawn along or follows behind; a train: The mayor was followed by a trail of reporters.
4. A succession of things that come afterward or are left behind: left a trail of broken promises.
5. Something that hangs loose and long: Trails of ticker tape floated down from office windows.
6. The part of a gun carriage that rests or slides on the ground.
7. The act of trailing.
[Middle English trailen, probably from Old French trailler, to hunt without a foreknown course, from Vulgar Latin *trāgulāre, to make a deer double back and forth, perhaps alteration (influenced by Latin trāgula, dragnet) of Latin trahere, to pull, draw.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
trail
(treɪl)vb
1. to drag or stream, or permit to drag or stream along a surface, esp the ground: her skirt trailed; she trailed her skipping rope.
2. to make (a track or path) through (a place): to trail a way; to trail a jungle.
3. (Hunting) to chase, follow, or hunt (an animal or person) by following marks or tracks
4. (when: intr, often foll by behind) to lag or linger behind (a person or thing)
5. (Botany) (intr) (esp of plants) to extend or droop over or along a surface
6. (General Sporting Terms) (intr) to be falling behind in a race or competition: the favourite is trailing at the last fence.
7. (Automotive Engineering) (tr) to tow (a boat, caravan, etc) behind a motor vehicle
8. (Military) (tr) to carry (a rifle) at the full length of the right arm in a horizontal position, with the muzzle to the fore
9. (intr) to move wearily or slowly: we trailed through the city.
10. (Broadcasting) (tr) (on television or radio) to advertise (a future programme) with short extracts
11. trail one's coat to invite a quarrel by deliberately provocative behaviour
n
12. a print, mark, or marks made by a person, animal, or object
13. the act or an instance of trailing
14. (Hunting) the scent left by a moving person or animal that is followed by a hunting animal
15. a path, track, or road, esp one roughly blazed
16. something that trails behind or trails in loops or strands
17. (Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) the part of a towed gun carriage and limber that connects the two when in movement and rests on the ground as a partial support when unlimbered
18. (General Engineering) engineering the distance between the point of contact of a steerable wheel and a line drawn from the swivel pin axis to the ground
19. (Broadcasting) (on television or radio) an advertisement for a future programme
[C14: from Old French trailler to draw, tow, from Vulgar Latin tragulāre (unattested), from Latin trāgula dragnet, from trahere to drag; compare Middle Dutch traghelen to drag]
ˈtrail-less adj
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
trail
(treɪl)v.t.
1. to drag or let drag along the ground or other surface; draw or drag along behind.
2. to bring or have floating after itself or oneself: a racing car trailing clouds of dust.
3. to follow the track, trail, or scent of; track.
4. to follow along behind (another), as in a race.
v.i. 5. to be drawn or dragged along the ground or some other surface: The bridal gown trailed across the floor.
6. to hang down loosely from something.
7. to stream from or float after something moving, as dust, smoke, and sparks do.
8. to follow as if drawn along.
9. to go slowly, lazily, or wearily along.
10. to pass or extend in a straggling line.
11. to change gradually or wander from a course, so as to become weak, ineffectual, etc. (usu. fol. by off or away): Her voice trailed off into silence.
12. to arrive or be last.
13. to be losing in a contest.
14. to follow a track or scent, as of game.
15. (of a plant) to extend itself in growth along the ground rather than taking root or clinging by tendrils, etc.
n. 16. a path or track made in overgrown or rough terrain by the passage of people or animals.
17. the track, scent, or the like, left by an animal, person, or thing.
18. something that is trailed or that trails behind, as the train of a skirt or robe.
19. a stream of dust, smoke, light, people, vehicles, etc., behind something moving.
20. either of two rearward-facing parts of an artillery piece, spread out on the ground for support when the piece is fired.
[1275–1325; Middle English: to draw or drag in the rear; compare Old English træglian to tear off, c. Middle Dutch traghelen to drag]
trail′ing•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
trail
1. A term applied to the manner in which a bomb trails behind the aircraft from which it has been released, assuming the aircraft does not change its velocity after the release of the bomb. (DOD)
2. Track (or shadow). (The words "landward" or "seaward" may be used to indicate from which side of enemy unit to shadow.)
2. Track (or shadow). (The words "landward" or "seaward" may be used to indicate from which side of enemy unit to shadow.)
Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. US Department of Defense 2005.
Trail
a train; a trailing mass of plants or ornament; a line of persons or things following behind something; a wreath or spray of flowers or leaves.Examples: trail of bear’s foot, myrtles green, and ivy pale, 1697; of tangled eglantine, 1861; of foliage, 1869; of golden hair, 1844; of ivy leaves, 1423; of roses, 1454; hurrying trails of black clouds, 1872; of light, 1697; of lightning, 1770; long trails of chanting priests, 1856.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
trail
Past participle: trailed
Gerund: trailing
| Imperative |
|---|
| trail |
| trail |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  trail - a track or mark left by something that has passed; "there as a trail of blood"; "a tear left its trail on her cheek"track, path, course - a line or route along which something travels or moves; "the hurricane demolished houses in its path"; "the track of an animal"; "the course of the river" slot - the trail of an animal (especially a deer); "he followed the deer's slot over the soft turf to the edge of the trees" spoor - the trail left by a person or an animal; what the hunter follows in pursuing game; "the hounds followed the fox's spoor" |
| 2. |  trail - a path or track roughly blazed through wild or hilly countrycattle trail - a trail over which cattle were driven to market deer trail - a trail worn by the passage of deer horse-trail - a trail for horses Indian trail - a trail through the wilderness worn by Amerindians mountain trail - a trail through mountainous country | |
| 3. |  trail - evidence pointing to a possible solution; "the police are following a promising lead"; "the trail led straight to the perpetrator" | |
| Verb | 1. |  trail - to lag or linger behind; "But in so many other areas we still are dragging"lag, fall back, fall behind, dawdle - hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc. |
| 2. |  trail - go after with the intent to catch; "The policeman chased the mugger down the alley"; "the dog chased the rabbit"tree - chase an animal up a tree; "the hunters treed the bear with dogs and killed it"; "her dog likes to tree squirrels" pursue, follow - follow in or as if in pursuit; "The police car pursued the suspected attacker"; "Her bad deed followed her and haunted her dreams all her life" quest - search the trail of (game); "The dog went off and quested" hound, hunt, trace - pursue or chase relentlessly; "The hunters traced the deer into the woods"; "the detectives hounded the suspect until they found him" run down - pursue until captured; "They ran down the fugitive" | |
| 3. | trail - move, proceed, or walk draggingly or slowly; "John trailed behind his class mates"; "The Mercedes trailed behind the horse cart" go, locomote, move, travel - change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically; "How fast does your new car go?"; "We travelled from Rome to Naples by bus"; "The policemen went from door to door looking for the suspect"; "The soldiers moved towards the city in an attempt to take it before night fell"; "news travelled fast" | |
| 4. |  trail - hang down so as to drag along the ground; "The bride's veiled trailed along the ground" | |
| 5. |  trail - drag loosely along a surface; allow to sweep the ground; "The toddler was trailing his pants"; "She trained her long scarf behind her"drag - pull, as against a resistance; "He dragged the big suitcase behind him"; "These worries were dragging at him" trail - hang down so as to drag along the ground; "The bride's veiled trailed along the ground" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
trail
noun
1. path, track, route, way, course, road, pathway, footpath, beaten track He was following a broad trail through the trees.
2. series, line, train, row, chain, string, stream, succession He left a trail of clues at the scenes of his crimes.
3. tracks, path, mark, marks, wake, trace, scent, footsteps, footprints, spoor They would take no action except that of following her trail.
4. wake, stream, tail, slipstream the high vapour trail of an aircraft
verb
1. follow, track, chase, pursue, dog, hunt, shadow, trace, tail (informal), hound, stalk, keep an eye on, keep tabs on (informal), run to ground Two detectives were trailing him.
2. drag, draw, pull, sweep, stream, haul, tow, dangle, droop She came down the stairs, trailing the coat behind her.
3. lag, follow, drift, wander, linger, trudge, fall behind, plod, meander, amble, loiter, straggle, traipse (informal), dawdle, hang back, tag along (informal), bring up the rear, drag yourself I spent a long afternoon trailing behind him.
4. lose, be down, be behind, fall behind, lag behind, drop behind He scored again leaving Dartford trailing 2-0 at the break.
trail away or off fade away or out, sink, weaken, diminish, decrease, dwindle, shrink, lessen, subside, fall away, peter out, die away, tail off, taper off, grow weak, grow faint 'But he of all men...' her voice trailed away.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
trail
verb2. To go or move slowly so that progress is hindered:
4. To keep (another) under surveillance by moving along behind:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
أثَر، خَط مِنمَسْلَك، مَسار، أثَرمَمَر جَبَلييَسيرُ خَلْفيَمْشي بِتَثاقُل، يَتَجَرْجَر
jít po stopěplouhat sestezkastopavléci se
sporstifølge sporet afslæbe
jäljittäälaahustaaraahataseurata
maga után húznehézkesen jár
blóîferilldragadrattast áframeltaslóî
filmo anonsaspėdsakaipriekabasektižymės
dzīt pēdaspēdassekottakatraipi
ísť po stope
sledstezavleči sezaostajati
trail
[treɪl]A. N
1. (= wake) [of dust, smoke] → estela f; [of blood] → reguero m; [of comet, meteor] → cola f
the hurricane left a trail of destruction → el huracán dejó una estela de estragos
the murderer left a trail of clues → el asesino dejó un reguero de pistas
he left a trail of wet footprints all through the house → dejó pisadas húmedas por toda la casa
the hurricane left a trail of destruction → el huracán dejó una estela de estragos
the murderer left a trail of clues → el asesino dejó un reguero de pistas
he left a trail of wet footprints all through the house → dejó pisadas húmedas por toda la casa
2. (= track) (left by animal, person) → rastro m, pista f
to be on sb's trail → seguir la pista a algn
the police are hard or hot on his trail → la policía le sigue de cerca or está sobre su pista
to pick up sb's trail → dar con algn
we managed to throw or put them off our trail → conseguimos despistarlos
to be on sb's trail → seguir la pista a algn
the police are hard or hot on his trail → la policía le sigue de cerca or está sobre su pista
to pick up sb's trail → dar con algn
we managed to throw or put them off our trail → conseguimos despistarlos
B. VT
1. (= drag) → arrastrar
he was trailing his schoolbag behind him → iba arrastrando la cartera (de la escuela)
the jeep trailed clouds of dust behind it → el jeep iba dejando nubes de polvo a su paso
to trail one's fingers in or through the water → hacer surcos en el agua con los dedos
he was trailing his schoolbag behind him → iba arrastrando la cartera (de la escuela)
the jeep trailed clouds of dust behind it → el jeep iba dejando nubes de polvo a su paso
to trail one's fingers in or through the water → hacer surcos en el agua con los dedos
2. (= deposit) the children trailed dirt all over the carpet → los niños iban dejando suciedad por toda la moqueta
3. (= track) [+ animal, person] → seguir la pista a, seguir el rastro a; [+ suspect] → seguir de cerca
two detectives were trailing him → dos detectives le seguían de cerca
two detectives were trailing him → dos detectives le seguían de cerca
4. (= lag behind) → ir rezagado con respecto a, ir a la zaga de
the President trails his opponent in opinion polls → el Presidente va rezagado con respecto a or va a la zaga de su adversario en las encuestas de opinión
they are trailing the leaders by just two points → los líderes sólo les llevan or sacan dos puntos de ventaja
the President trails his opponent in opinion polls → el Presidente va rezagado con respecto a or va a la zaga de su adversario en las encuestas de opinión
they are trailing the leaders by just two points → los líderes sólo les llevan or sacan dos puntos de ventaja
C. VI
1. (= drag) → arrastrarse
your coat is trailing in the mud → se te está arrastrando or vas arrastrando el abrigo por el barro
she walked with her skirt trailing on the ground → andaba arrastrando la falda por el suelo
your coat is trailing in the mud → se te está arrastrando or vas arrastrando el abrigo por el barro
she walked with her skirt trailing on the ground → andaba arrastrando la falda por el suelo
2. (= dangle, spread) plants trail from balconies → las plantas cuelgan de los balcones
wires trailing across the floor are dangerous → los cables sueltos por el suelo son peligrosos
wires trailing across the floor are dangerous → los cables sueltos por el suelo son peligrosos
3. (= trudge) I spent the afternoon trailing around the shops → pasé la tarde pateándome las tiendas
we trailed home again in the rain → a duras penas y lloviendo nos hicimos el camino de vuelta a casa
her husband trailed along behind → su marido iba detrás arrastrando los pies
we trailed home again in the rain → a duras penas y lloviendo nos hicimos el camino de vuelta a casa
her husband trailed along behind → su marido iba detrás arrastrando los pies
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
trail
[ˈtreɪl] n
(= track) to be on sb's trail → être sur la piste de qn
to leave a trail of sth → laisser qch derrière soi
He left a trail of dirty marks all over the house → Il a laissé des traces de saleté partout derrière lui dans la maison.
to leave a trail of sth → laisser qch derrière soi
He left a trail of dirty marks all over the house → Il a laissé des traces de saleté partout derrière lui dans la maison.
[smoke] → traînée f
vt
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
trail
n
→ Spur f; (of meteor) → Schwanz m, → Schweif m; trail of blood → Blutspur f; trail of smoke → Rauchfahne f; trail of dust → Staubwolke f; the hurricane left a trail of destruction → der Hurrikan hinterließ eine Spur der Verwüstung
(= track) → Fährte f, → Spur f; hot on the trail → dicht auf den Fersen; to be on the trail of an animal → die Spur eines Tieres verfolgen; the police are on his trail → die Polizei ist ihm auf der Spur
(Ski, cross-country) → Loipe f
vt
(esp Brit: = follow) person → folgen (+dat), → verfolgen; to trail an animal → ein Tier or die Spur eines Tieres verfolgen
(= drag) → schleppen, schleifen; the bird trailed its broken wing → der Vogel zog seinen gebrochenen Flügel nach
team, rival → zurückliegen hinter (+dat); we are trailing them by 4 points → wir liegen 4 Punkte hinter ihnen (zurück)
vi
(on floor) → schleifen
(plant) → sich ranken; a house with ivy trailing round the windows → ein Haus mit efeuumrankten Fenstern
(= be behind) (in competition etc) → weit zurückliegen, hinterherhinken; (Sport) → weit zurückgefallen sein; our team is trailing by 3 points → unsere Mannschaft ist mit 3 Punkten im Rückstand
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
trail
[treɪl]1. n
a. (of dust, smoke) → scia
the hurricane left a trail of destruction → l'uragano non ha lasciato altro che distruzione dietro di sé
the hurricane left a trail of destruction → l'uragano non ha lasciato altro che distruzione dietro di sé
2. vt
3. vi
a. (object) → strisciare; (plant) → arrampicarsi; (dress) → strusciare
to trail by 2 goals (Sport) → essere in svantaggio di 2 goal
to trail by 2 goals (Sport) → essere in svantaggio di 2 goal
b. (wearily) (also trail along) → trascinarsi
trail away trail off vi + adv (sound) → affievolirsi; (interest, voice) → spegnersi a poco a poco
trail behind vi + adv → essere al traino
trail off vi + adv = trail away
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
trail
(treil) verb1. to drag, or be dragged, along loosely. Garments were trailing from the suitcase.
2. to walk slowly and usually wearily. He trailed down the road.
3. to follow the track of. The herd of reindeer was being trailed by a pack of wolves.
noun1. a track (of an animal). The trail was easy for the hunters to follow.
2. a path through a forest or other wild area. a mountain trail.
3. a line, or series of marks, left by something as it passes. There was a trail of blood across the floor.
ˈtrailer noun1. a vehicle pulled behind a motor car. We carry our luggage in a trailer.
2. (American) a caravan.
3. a short film advertising a complete film.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
Collins Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009