retrace

American  

[ri-treys] / rɪˈtreɪs /

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 British  

/ 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

• nonretraceable adjective
• retraceable adjective
• retracement noun

Etymology

Origin of retrace

1690–1700; < French retracer, Middle French retracier, equivalent to re- re- + tracier to trace ¹

Example Sentences

Running until March 8, the exhibit retraces the journeys made by the researcher, who died in 2003.

From Barron's

The stock has now retraced about 40% of the rally from the two-year closing low of $65.61 hit on Nov. 24 to the one-year closing high of $129.85 on Jan. 8.

From MarketWatch

The aircraft retraced its route, stopping briefly in Yaoundé before flying to Entebbe, where it refuelled.

From BBC

"We are not only retracing ancient pathways of trade, navigation, and cultural exchange, but also reaffirming India's position as a natural maritime bridge across the Indian Ocean."

From Barron's

I was retracing my steps of 20 years earlier to a scene of mass death I had never been able to erase from my mind.

From Los Angeles Times