2 meanings, 10 uses
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1 —4 uses as in:
found a trace of
Definition
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."
- The car he'd stolen had been found deserted on a side street in Louisville last night, but there had been no trace of Paul.p. 294.7
trace = indication or sign
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- Creamy white vernix whorled in her delicate skin, and she was slippery with amniotic fluid and traces of blood.p. 16.7
- He thought of Norah, who had become a self-sufficient and powerful woman, who courted corporate accounts with glittery assurance and came in from dinners smelling of wine and rain, traces of laughter, triumph, and success still on her face.p. 258.5
- He was a sturdy boy, five years old now, cheerful and good-natured, with dark brown eyes and traces of red in his blond hair.p. 309.6
traces = indications or small quantities
There are no more uses of "trace" flagged with this meaning in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
2 —6 uses as in:
traced a path
Definition
to follow
The exact meaning of this sense of trace depends upon its context. For example:
- "The hunters traced the deer into the woods." — followed or tracked
- "With soft kisses, she gently traced the scar running down his cheek." — followed
- "The path traces along the edge of the forest." — follows
- "A single tear traced its way down her cheek." — followed a specific path
- He wanted to reach out and trace the delicate curved bones of her ribs; he wanted to kiss her at the point the bones met, stretching away like wings.p. 114.4
trace = track or follow (with his finger)
Other Uses (with this meaning)
- David traced the light-filled image with his fingertips.p. 152.9
- Paul traced his finger along the edge of the cast.p. 155.2
- Then Sam had traced the shaft of variegated light on her thigh with his finger, and slowly she'd felt her own sharp edges begin to soften, to blur, her emotions bleeding one into another in mysterious sequence, from darkest indigo to gold, reluctance transforming, mysteriously, to desire.p. 294.3
- Veins, pale blue, traced just below the surface of her skin.p. 399.0
- Phoebe traced her fingers over the names and dates engraved in the dark granite.p. 399.9
There are no more uses of "trace" flagged with this meaning in The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.
Typical Usage
(best examples)