n. & v.
n. 1 a a track left by a thing, person, etc., moving over a surface (left a trail of wreckage; a slug's slimy trail). b a track or scent followed in hunting, seeking, etc. (he's on the trail). 2 a beaten path or track, esp. through a wild region. 3 a part dragging behind a thing or person; an appendage (a trail of smoke; a condensation trail). 4 the rear end of a gun-carriage stock.
v. 1 tr. & intr. draw or be drawn along behind, esp. on the ground. 2 intr. (often foll. by behind) walk wearily; lag; straggle. 3 tr. follow the trail of; pursue (trailed him to his home). 4 intr. be losing in a game or other contest (trailing by three points). 5 intr. (usu. foll. by away, off) peter out; tail off. 6 intr. a (of a plant etc.) grow or hang over a wall, along the ground etc. b (of a garment etc.) hang loosely. 7 tr. (often refl.) drag (oneself, one's limbs, etc.) along wearily etc. 8 tr. advertise (a film, a radio or television programme, etc.) in advance by showing extracts etc. 9 tr. apply (slip) through a nozzle or spout to decorate ceramic ware. at the trail Mil. with arms trailed. trail arms Mil. let a rifle etc. hang balanced in one hand and, Brit., parallel to the ground. trail bike a light motor cycle for use in rough terrain. trail-blazer 1 a person who marks a new track through wild country. 2 a pioneer; an innovator. trail-blazing n. the act or process of blazing a trail.
attrib.adj. that blazes a trail; pioneering. trail one's coat deliberately provoke a quarrel, fight, etc. trailing edge 1 the rear edge of an aircraft's wing etc. 2 Electronics the part of a pulse in which the amplitude diminishes (opp. leading edge (see LEADING(1))). trailing wheel a wheel not given direct motive power. trail-net a drag-net.
[ ME (earlier as verb) f. OF traillier to tow, or f. MLG treilen haul f. L tragula drag-net ]