Please enable javascript to see: All 25 uses | How did you trace it, then? – trace = small quantity or indication – Chpt 5 | I traced her! – traced = found, sought, or researched – Chpt 8...

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All 25 Uses of

trace

in

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

As you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most useful material for showing traces.†
Chpt 3

This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the coroner's jury."†
Chpt 4

Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the fall of the stricken man.†
Chpt 4

I thought there might be some weapon or other trace.†
Chpt 4

A mole could trace it, and there it vanishes among the reeds.†
Chpt 4

Holmes traced his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon his face with a little cry of satisfaction.†
Chpt 4

Then he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the highroad, where all traces were lost.†
Chpt 4

His boots, too, might be told from their traces.†
Chpt 4

I fear that I have brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug chamber.†
Chpt 5

So perfect was the organisation of the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the perpetrators.†
Chpt 5

The body exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, which should have the effect of calling the attention of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages.†
Chpt 5

How did you trace it, then?†
Chpt 5 *

On examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the bedroom.†
Chpt 6

There were no signs of violence upon any of these garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Clair.†
Chpt 6

You are endeavouring to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Henry Baker is a member.†
Chpt 7

I have traced her.†
Chpt 8

I traced her!†
Chpt 8 *

This incident gives zest to our investigation, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her.†
Chpt 8

We even traced them as far as Reading, but could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that showed that they were very old hands.†
Chpt 9

We even traced them as far as Reading, but could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that showed that they were very old hands.†
Chpt 9

Early that morning a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their whereabouts.†
Chpt 9

About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dearly.†
Chpt 9

So Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away somewhere where no one could find them.†
Chpt 10

A search was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our threats.†
Chpt 11

"When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the snow which might help me.†
Chpt 11

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Definitions:

(trace as in: found a trace of)
a small quantity; or any indication or evidence of
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
- a small indication that something was present -- as in "The plane disappeared somewhere over the Pacific Ocean without leaving a trace."
- a very small amount of something -- as in "The blood test showed a trace of steroids."
- any evidence of something -- as in "We did not find a trace of the gene."

(trace as in: trace the origin or development)
to find, search, research, or keep track of
This sense of trace usually has to do with information. It's specific meaning depends on its context. For example:
to find or search for something through investigation -- often the origin of something:
- "The police traced the call." -- found out where it originated
- "We are tracing the lost luggage" -- searching for
- "Can you trace the problem to its source?" -- find through investigation
- "She traced her family history to discover that her great-grandmother came to the United States from Lithuania when the Nazis occupied it." -- discovered something through investigation
to research or report on the development of something
- "She traced the history of the automobile in her paper." -- researched the development of something
- "Her presentation traced recent progress in alternative energy solutions." -- reported on
to monitor or keep track of the progress or development of something
- "She traces the progress of at-risk students." -- monitors information
- "I used binoculars to trace her progress up the mountain." -- monitor, follow, or track