Trace
First or last
Trace connects ideas of following a path and leaving a mark.
A trace is a small amount left behind: traces of blood at the scene, no trace of the missing hiker.
To trace is to follow something back to its origin: trace the problem to a faulty wire, trace your ancestry.
It also means to copy by drawing over: trace the outline.
In computing, a trace tracks program execution.
A trace of something in your manner is a hint of it: a trace of an accent.
Friction ridge impression
- footprintMark from stepping
- DNAHereditary code molecule
- evidenceFacts supporting truth
- markVisible impression or sign
imprint · smudge · residue · stain · print · impression · remnant · deposit
Indirect suggestion
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- dashQuick burst or pinch
tinge · smidgen · vestige · glimmer · speck · particle · iota · scintilla
Go behind another
- trailPath through wilderness
- pursueFollow to catch
- huntPursuit of quarry
- locateDiscover the position of
find · search · detect · investigate · surveillance · GPS · monitor · stalk
Summary of key elements
- sketchHasty informal drawing
- copyIdentical reproduction made
- transferMove between locations
- stencilCutout pattern for painting
template · contour · overlay · duplicate · reproduce · carbon paper · silhouette · pencil
Family line of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
- descentDownward slope or lineage
origin · bloodline · pedigree · family tree · forebears · ancestors · lineage · provenance
Reveal what's hidden
- discoverFind something unknown
- sourcePoint of origin
- originStarting point or source
- pinpointLocate with exactness
determine · ascertain · root · cause · backtrack · reconstruct · chronicle · document
Graphed oscillation pattern
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- readoutDisplayed recorded data
- ECGCardiac electrical recording
EKG · seismograph · recording · monitor · graph · line · pulse · cardiogram
fingerprint
Friction ridge impression
mark · imprint · smudge · residue · stain · print · impression · remnant · deposit · smear
hint
Indirect suggestion
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
- whisperSpeech without full voice
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
dash · tinge · smidgen · vestige · glimmer · speck · particle · iota · scintilla · whiff
follow
Go behind another
locate · find · search · detect · investigate · surveillance · GPS · monitor · stalk · shadow
outline
Summary of key elements
stencil · template · contour · overlay · duplicate · reproduce · carbon paper · silhouette · pencil · vellum
ancestry
Family line of descent
- genealogyStudy of family descent
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
descent · origin · bloodline · pedigree · family tree · forebears · ancestors · lineage · provenance · history
uncover
Reveal what's hidden
pinpoint · determine · ascertain · root · cause · backtrack · reconstruct · chronicle · document · research
waveform
Graphed oscillation pattern
- oscilloscopeVoltage waveform display device
- signalMessage-conveying cue
- readoutDisplayed recorded data
ECG · EKG · seismograph · recording · monitor · graph · line · pulse · cardiogram · heartbeat
Tracesubstance
Physical material with mass
significance · preponderance · lion's share · majority · bulk
- on trackProgressing as intended
- lost trackFailed to monitor
- train tracksMetal rails for locomotives
- lose trackFail to monitor continuously
- keep trackMaintain awareness of
- track downFind through persistent effort
traces, traced, tracing, traceable, untraceable, traceability, tracer, tracers, tracery