retrace

[ ri-treys ]

verb (used with object)

, re·traced, re·trac·ing.

1. to trace backward; go back over:

   to retrace one's steps.

2. to go back over with the memory.
3. to go over again with the sight or attention.
4. re-trace.

retrace

/ rɪˈtreɪs /

verb

1. to go back over (one's steps, a route, etc) again

   we retraced the route we took last summer

2. to go over (a past event) in the mind; recall
3. to go over (a story, account, etc) from the beginning

Derived Forms

• reˈtracement, noun
• reˈtraceable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·tracea·ble adjective
• re·tracement noun
• nonre·tracea·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retrace¹

1690–1700; < French retracer, Middle French retracier, equivalent to re- re- + tracier to trace ¹

Example Sentences

And I’m tracking them, trying to retrace their steps.

From Los Angeles Times

Some in the crowd of 30-plus decided to busy themselves by retracing their steps through the collection of educational, weed-related exhibits.

From Los Angeles Times

I was eager to explore such questions recently, when I retraced Darwin’s travels in the South Atlantic.

From Salon

On Tuesday, some D-Day veterans boarded a ferry from Portsmouth to Normandy once again, retracing their journey of 80 years ago.

From BBC

They retraced the steps of the civil rights icon and 10,000 others who joined the 1964 March on Frankfort to call for legislation to end discrimination and segregation in the Bluegrass State.

From Seattle Times