retrace

[ri-treys]

verb (used with object)

retraced, retracing 

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

Other Word Forms

• retraceable adjective
• retracement noun
• nonretraceable 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

Using old field photographs and careful detective work, Sereno and his colleagues retraced the locations in east-central Wyoming where several classic dinosaur mummies had first been uncovered in the early 1900s.

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She clutched it to her chest and retraced her steps to see what he was pointing at.

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“Our marriage will never survive this,” I thought, then began to retrace the previous day, then my entire life.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

By retracing the galaxy's violent mergers and chaotic beginnings, the researchers found that these ancient events could have significantly altered the shape and density of dark matter in its core.

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Then, if you’re as hungry as I was, you rapidly retrace steps and head to the Seaside Foods deli counter in Sebastian’s General Store, a block from the pier.

Read more on Los Angeles Times