[treɪl], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a mark or a series of signs or objects left behind by the passage of someone or something
(e.g: a trail of blood on the grass)

- a long thin part or line stretching behind or hanging down from something
(e.g: smoke trails)

- a beaten path through the countryside
(e.g: country parks with nature trails)

- a trailer for a film or broadcast
(e.g: a recent television trail for ‘The Bill’)

- the rear end of a gun carriage, resting or sliding on the ground when the gun is unlimbered


Phrases:
- at the trail
- trail arms
- trail one's coat

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): from Old French traillier ‘to tow’, or Middle Low German treilen ‘haul a boat’, based on Latin tragula ‘dragnet’, from trahere ‘to pull’. Compare with trawl. The noun originally denoted the train of a robe, later generalized to denote something trailing

[treɪl], (Verb)

Definitions:
- draw or be drawn along behind someone or something
(e.g: Alex trailed a hand through the clear water)

- walk or move slowly or wearily
(e.g: he baulked at the idea of trailing around the shops)

- follow (a person or animal) by using marks or scent left behind
(e.g: Sam suspected they were trailing him)

- be losing to an opponent in a game or contest
(e.g: the defending champions were trailing 10—5 at half-time)

- give advance publicity to (a film, broadcast, or proposal)
(e.g: the bank's plans have been extensively trailed)

- apply (slip) through a nozzle or spout to decorate ceramic ware


Phrases:
- at the trail
- trail arms
- trail one's coat

Origin:
Middle English (as a verb): from Old French traillier ‘to tow’, or Middle Low German treilen ‘haul a boat’, based on Latin tragula ‘dragnet’, from trahere ‘to pull’. Compare with trawl. The noun originally denoted the train of a robe, later generalized to denote something trailing