trail English · revision 5116

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1300|origins=la tragula}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /treɪl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|trailen]], [[bor|fro|trailler|alt=trailler, traillier|t=to tow]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) probably from Vulgar Latin *trāgulāre “to drag”, from Latin trāgula “dragnet, sledge”,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) probably related to trahere “to pull”.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) Middle Low German treilen “to haul a boat” may also have contributed.^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998) It is related to [[tract]] and [[trawl]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To hang down and flow behind, as a gown: about 1300 in Etymonline, about 1303 in Mannyng's Handlyng Synne in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To follow the track or scent of an animal is from the late 14th century in Etymonline, 1590 in Barnhart.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) To drag along the ground is from about 1400, also of vines and plants.^(Etymonline) The noun, the train of a robe, is from the early 14th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A track or scent left by a person or animal is from 1590,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) and a path through the wilderness, chiefly American and Canadian, from 1807.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) ''Trail off'', of the voice, is by 1845,^(Etymonline) and to lag behind in a contest by 1957.^(Etymonline) The ''Trail of Tears'', the forced removal of the Cherokee in 1838–9, is attested by 1908.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1300 – to hang and drag behind.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 14th century – noun, the train of a robe.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1590 – a track or scent.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1807 – a path through wild country.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1845 – ''trail off''.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1957 – to lag behind.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A path through countryside or a forest.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A series of marks or signs left by someone or something passing.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A route planned to pass places of interest: ''a heritage trail''.^(Collins 2023)

+ # A long thin line of something, such as smoke.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To drag or be dragged along behind.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To follow someone or something by its traces; to [[track]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To be losing in a contest.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To walk slowly and tiredly.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Of a voice, to become gradually quieter: ''trail off''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[trailless]]

+ * [[trailingly]]

+ * [[trailer]]

+ * [[untrailed]]

+ * [[contrail]]

+ * [[trailblazing]]

+ * [[distrail]]

+ * [[trailable]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[trawl]]

+ * [[tract]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}