1a mark or a series of signs or objects left behind by the passage of someone or something:a trail of blood on the grassthe torrential rain left a trail of devastation
a track, scent, or other indication used in following someone or hunting an animal:police followed his trail to Dorset
2a long thin part or line stretching behind or hanging down from something:smoke trailswe drove down in a trail of tourist cars
3a beaten path through the countryside:country parks with nature trailseasy waymarked trails for the casual walker
a route followed for a particular purpose:the hotel is well off the tourist trail
(also ski trail)North American a downhill ski run or cross-country ski route:this steep trail is as firm as off-piste spring snow
4a trailer for a film or broadcast:a recent television trail for ‘The Bill’
5the rear end of a gun carriage, resting or sliding on the ground when the gun is unlimbered.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [with adverbial] draw or be drawn along behind someone or something: [with object]:Alex trailed a hand through the clear water [no object]:her robe trailed along the ground
[no object] (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
2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] walk or move slowly or wearily:he baulked at the idea of trailing around the shops
(of the voice or a speaker) fade gradually before stopping:her voice trailed away
3 [with object] follow (a person or animal) by using marks or scent left behind:Sam suspected they were trailing him
4 [no object] be losing to an opponent in a game or contest: [with complement]:the defending champions were trailing 10—5 at half-time
5 [with object] give advance publicity to (a film, broadcast, or proposal):the bank’s plans have been extensively trailed
6 [with object] apply (slip) through a nozzle or spout to decorate ceramic ware.
at the trail
Military with a rifle hanging balanced in one hand and (in Britain) parallel to the ground.
trail arms
Military let a rifle hang balanced in one hand and (in Britain) parallel to the ground.
