1. a mark, sign, or evidence left by something that has passed
2. a very small amount of something

1. to follow the course or trail of something
2. to copy a drawing or design by drawing over its lines on transparent paper
3. to find or discover by investigation

Examples

• The detective found traces of blood at the crime scene.
• There was only a trace of sugar left in the bowl.
• The hikers traced the river back to its source.
• She traced the map onto tracing paper for her project.
• Police were able to trace the stolen car to a nearby garage.
• No trace of the missing plane was ever found.
• He traced his finger along the edge of the table.
• The recipe calls for just a trace of vanilla extract.