[trail] vb [ME, fr. MF trailler to tow, fr. (assumed) VL tragulare, fr. L tragula sledge, dragnet; akin to L trahere to pull] vi (14c) 1 a: to hang down so as to drag along or sweep the ground b: to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner "a vine that ~s over the ground" c: to grow to such length as to droop over toward the ground "~ing branches of a weeping birch"
2. a: to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily: plod, trudge b: to lag behind: do poorly in relation to others
3: to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams "smoke ~ing from chimneys"
4. a: to extend in an erratic or uneven course or line: straggle b: dwindle "voice ~ing off"
5: to follow a trail: track game ~ vt 1 a: to draw or drag loosely along a surface: allow to sweep the ground b: haul, tow
2. a: to drag (as a limb or the body) heavily or wearily b: to carry or bring along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance c: to draw along in one's wake 3 a: to follow upon the scent or trace of: track b: to follow in the footsteps of: pursue c: to follow along behind d: to lag behind (as a competitor) syn see chase
[2]trail n (14c) 1: something that trails or is trailed: as a: a trailing plant b: the train of a gown c: a trailing arrangement (as of flowers): spray d: the part of a gun carriage that rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered
2. a: something that follows or moves along as if being drawn along: train "a ~ of admirers" b (1): the streak produced by a meteor (2): a continuous line produced photographically by permitting the image of a celestial body (as a star) to move over the plate c: a chain of consequences: aftermath "the ... movement left a ~ of bitterness and prejudice behind it --Paul Blanshard" 3 a: a trace or mark left by something that has passed or been drawn along: scent, track "a ~ of blood" b (1): a track made by passage esp. through a wilderness (2): a marked or established path or route esp. through a forest or mountainous region c: a course followed or to be followed "hit the campaign ~" -- trail.less adj