Retrace
[rɪ'treɪs] or [rɪ'tres]
Definition
(v. t.) To trace back, as a line.
(v. t.) To go back, in or over (a previous course); to go over again in a reverse direction; as, to retrace one's steps; to retrace one's proceedings.
(v. t.) To trace over again, or renew the outline of, as a drawing; to draw again.
Editor: Louise
Definition
v.t. to trace back: to go back by the same course: to renew the outline of: to repeat.—adj. Retrace′able.
Edited by Abraham
Examples
- Before turning to retrace his steps, he stopped upon the margin, to look down at the reflected night. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Suddenly, Bradley turned to retrace his course. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Well, I replied, I suppose that I must retrace my steps and say what I perhaps ought to have said before in the proper place. Plato. The Republic.
- Still I could not turn, nor retrace one step. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- It is not in my power to retrace, one by one, all the weary phases of distress of mind through which I passed. Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Bradley then turned to retrace his steps, and by-and-by struck off through little-traversed ways, and by-and-by reached school and home. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- Mr. Pickwick seized the watch in triumph, and proceeded to retrace his steps to his bedchamber. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- She had not far retraced her steps when sounds in front of her betokened the approach of persons in conversation along the same path. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- It was terrible to think of again encountering those bearded, sneering simpletons; yet the ground must be retraced, and the steps sought out. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- With a heavy sigh he retraced the slope, and followed the path he had followed before. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- More puzzled than ever, I retraced my steps to Kensington. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- They retraced their steps to the burial-ground, and by that act sealed the future of our three lives. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Slowly the expedition retraced its steps of the preceding day. Edgar Rice Burroughs. Tarzan of the Apes.
- At the end of the time Mrs. Yeobright went in, and Venn sadly retraced his steps into the heath. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Her rich colour, her quick blood, her rapid breath, were all setting themselves against the opportunity of retracing their steps. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- With those words she turned about, and retracing her steps, advanced with her face towards me. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Retracing her steps, she came again to an open level, where she perceived at a distance a man at work. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
Checked by Gwen