trail / trāl/ • n. 1. a mark or a series of signs or objects left behind by the passage of someone or something: a trail of blood on the grass. ∎  a track or scent used in following someone or hunting an animal: police followed his trail to Atlantic City. ∎  a part, typically long and thin, stretching behind or hanging down from someone or something: smoke trails trails of ivy. ∎  a line of people of things following behind each other: a trail of ants.2. a beaten path through rough country such as a forest or moor. ∎  a route planned or followed for a particular purpose: a Democratic candidate on the campaign trail. ∎  (also ski trail) a downhill ski run or cross-country ski route.3. short for trailer (sense 2).4. the rear end of a gun carriage, resting or sliding on the ground when the gun is unlimbered.• v. 1. draw or be drawn along the ground or other surface behind someone or something: [tr.] Alex trailed a hand through the clear water | [intr.] her robe trailed along the ground. ∎  [intr.] (typically of a plant) grow or hang over the edge of something or along the ground: the roses grew wild, their stems trailing over the banks. ∎  [tr.] follow (a person or animal), typically by using marks, signs, or scent left behind. ∎  [intr.] be losing to an opponent in a game or contest: the Packers were trailing 10–6 at halftime. 2. [intr.] walk or move slowly or wearily: she trailed behind, whimpering at intervals. ∎  (of the voice or a speaker) fade gradually before stopping: her voice trailed away.3. [tr.] advertise (something, esp. a film or program) in advance by broadcasting extracts or details.4. [tr.] apply (slip) through a nozzle or spout to decorate ceramic ware.

trail, trayle. Continuous horizontal running enrichment of vine-leaves, tendrils, stalks, and grapes, called also grapevine, vignette, vine-scroll, or vinette, often found enriching Perpendicular canopies and screens, e.g. in funerary architecture and chancel-screens. Several spectacular examples survive in Devon churches. The form was essentially late Gothic, and recurs throughout Europe.

Bibliography

F. Bond (1908a);
B&C (1909)

trail
1. An anterior extension of some brachiopod (Brachiopoda) shells, usually at a large angle to the general plane of the posterior part of the shell.

2. A biogenic sedimentary structure formed by the movement of snails, clams, or perhaps snakes over the sediment surface, and classified with tracks under the Scoyenia assemblage of trace fossils.

Trail

a train; a trailing mass of plants or ornament; a line of persons or things following behind something; a wreath or spray of flowers or leaves.

Examples : trail of bear’s foot, myrtles green, and ivy pale, 1697; of tangled eglantine, 1861; of foliage, 1869; of golden hair, 1844; of ivy leaves, 1423; of roses, 1454; hurrying trails of black clouds, 1872; of light, 1697; of lightning, 1770; long trails of chanting priests, 1856.

trail Trail of Tears the forced removal, in 1838–9, of the Cherokee people from their homeland and sent on a march from Georgia to Oklahoma; many died on the journey.
trail one's coat deliberately provoke a quarrel or fight; the idea is of making it likely that someone will step on the trailing coat, providing reason for a quarrel.