trace
n
1 [C, U] mark, track, sign, etc showing what has existed or happened 蹤跡; 痕跡; 形跡
traces of prehistoric habitation 史前居民的遺跡
The police have been unable to find any trace of the gang. 警方一直未能找到那團伙的任何蹤跡.
We've lost all trace of him, ie We no longer know where he is. 我們現在不知道他的下落了.
The ship had vanished without trace. 那船消失得無影無蹤.
2 [C] very small amount 極微的量
The post-mortem revealed traces of poison in his stomach. 驗尸發現他胃中有微量毒物.
He spoke without a trace of emotion. 他說話時毫不動感情.
trace v
1
(a) [Tn, Tn.pr]
~ sb/sth (to sth) follow or discover sb/sth by finding and noticing marks, tracks or other evidence 追蹤; 跟蹤; 追溯; 探索; 查出
I cannot trace the letter to which you refer. 我查不到你提到的那封信.
Archaeologists have traced many Roman roads in Britain. 考古學家在英國發現了許多古羅馬的道路.
The criminal was traced to Glasgow. 追蹤那個罪犯直追到格拉斯哥.
(b) [Tn] describe the development of (sth) 描述(某事)的發展過程
a book which traces the decline of the Roman empire 敘述羅馬帝國衰亡的書.
2 [Tn, Tn.pr, Tn.p]
~ sth (back) (to sth)find the origin of sth 找出某事的根源
He traces his descent back to an old Norman family. 他追蹤自己的世系上溯至一個古老的諾曼家族.
Her fear of water can be traced back to a childhood accident. 她很怕水, 起因可歸於兒時的一次事故.
The cause of the fire was traced to a faulty fuse-box. 起火的原因已查出是因保險絲盒中有短路.
3 [Tn, Tn.p] ~ sth (out)
(a) sketch or indicate the outline of sth 畫出或描繪出某物的輪廓
We traced out our route on the map. 我們在地圖上畫出我們的路線.
(fig 比喻) Those who came later followed the policies he had traced out. 後來的人都按他制定的方針政策行事.
(b) form letters, etc slowly and with difficulty 緩慢而費力地寫字等
He traced his signature laboriously. 他吃力地簽上自己的名字.
4 [Tn] copy (a map, drawing, etc) on transparent paper placed over it (將透明紙置於地圖、 圖畫等上)復制, 描摹.
trace n
1 (usu pl 通常作復數) either of the two straps, chains or ropes by which a horse is attached to and pulls a wagon, carriage, etc 挽繩; 挽韁. =>illus at harness 見 harness 插圖.
2 (idm 習語) kick over the traces => kick1.