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

Everything users do through the interface, which uses Palantir’s GovCloud platform, is carefully preserved, so anyone with access can retrace their steps.

From MIT Technology Review

Almost 20 years ago, Eric Sheppard picked up the slave narrative written by his distant ancestor, Moses Grandy, and set out to retrace his long trudge to freedom.

From Washington Post

When turning off a path, we often take a special look around the crucial spot so we can retrace our steps.

From Science News

Evidence of an infection that has already cleared can also help researchers retrace a virus’s steps.

From Science News

Technology offered a way to automate time-honored contact tracing efforts in which public health investigators ask patients to retrace their footsteps in order to deduce where they got infected.

From MIT Technology Review

"To R——," replied the man, as he turned silently and sullenly to retrace his steps.

From Project Gutenberg

"I don't care to retrace all of mine," said Mr. Bradford, whose pale face wore a smile beneath its bandage.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, slowly, she began to retrace her steps toward the corner from which she had started.

From Project Gutenberg

Whatever it was, we thought it prudent to retrace our steps, and went down to the sea again by the same path.

From Project Gutenberg

But we must now leave the king, and retrace history to the commencement of the civil war.

From Project Gutenberg