Dictionary entry

Trace (2)

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Trace, n. [F. trace. See Trace, v. t.] 1. A mark left by anything passing; a track; a path; a course; a footprint; a vestige; as, the trace of a carriage or sled; the trace of a deer; a sinuous trace. Milton.

2. (Chem.&Min.) A very small quantity of an element or compound in a given substance, especially when so small that the amount is not quantitatively determined in an analysis;-hence, in stating an analysis, often contracted to tr.

3. A mark, impression, or visible appearance of anything left when the thing itself no longer exists; remains; token; vestige.

The shady empire shall retain no trace

Of war or blood, but in the sylvan chase. Pope.

4. (Descriptive Geom.&Persp.) The intersection of a plane of projection, or an original plane, with a coordinate plane.

5. (Fort.) The ground plan of a work or works.

Syn.-Vestige; mark; token. See Vestige.