ENGLISH
REFERENCE

tracing

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈtɹeɪsɪŋ// UK //tɹˈeɪsɪŋ// trac·ing

n. a copy of a drawing or map made by putting a thin sheet of paper over it and following the lines. It can also mean the act of finding the origin or path of something.

n. a copy of a drawing, map, or design made by following the lines of the original through a transparent sheet. Also refers to the process of tracking the history, origin, or movement of an object or person.


SIMPLE

She made a tracing of the map for her project.

CONTEXTUAL

The architect used a tracing of the original floor plan to suggest modern modifications to the building.

COMPLEX

Digital contact tracing became a vital tool for public health officials attempting to map the spread of the virus through the community in real time.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle English tracyng; equivalent to trace + -ing.

Usage

Countable when referring to a physical copy; uncountable when referring to the abstract process of tracking or finding origins.

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