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noun Uncommon

tracing

TRAY-sihng

Tracing (noun) means a copy of a drawing made by following its outlines through transparent paper. Example: “She made a tracing of the map to use for her presentation.”

noun
1
A copy of a drawing made by following its outlines through transparent paper.
"She made a tracing of the map to use for her presentation."
2
A recorded line or pattern produced by an instrument, such as a heart monitor.
"The doctor studied the ECG tracing for any irregular heartbeats."

How to use tracing

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA copy made by drawing over an original through thin paper, or a line recorded by a measuring device.

Word forms

tracings plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She made a _____ of the map to use for her presentation.

Etymology

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

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for tracing

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tracing” mean?

The word “tracing” means a copy of a drawing made by following its outlines through transparent paper. In plain terms, a copy made by drawing over an original through thin paper, or a line recorded by a measuring device.

How do you pronounce “tracing”?

“Tracing” is pronounced TRAY-sihng (/ˈtɹeɪsɪŋ/ in IPA).

How do you use “tracing” in a sentence?

Here is “tracing” used in a sentence: “She made a tracing of the map to use for her presentation.”

What part of speech is “tracing”?

“Tracing” is a noun.

Is “tracing” a common word?

“Tracing” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “tracing” have?

“Tracing” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a copy of a drawing made by following its outlines through transparent paper.

What is the difference between a tracing and a drawing?

A tracing is a copy made by following the outlines of an existing image through transparent paper, so it reproduces the original rather than being created freehand. A drawing is an original creation made without copying another image's outlines.

What does tracing mean in a medical context?

In medicine, a tracing refers to a recorded line or pattern produced by an instrument, such as the line generated by a heart monitor showing electrical activity over time.

What materials are typically used to make a tracing?

A tracing is typically made using transparent paper placed over an original image, allowing the outlines to be copied through directly onto the new sheet.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary