tracer

[ trey-ser ]
/ ˈtreɪ sər /

noun

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Origin of tracer

First recorded in 1535–45; trace1 + -er1

Words nearby tracer

trace, trace element, trace fossil, traceable, traceless, tracer, tracer bullet, traceried, tracery, traces, traceur
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for tracer

British Dictionary definitions for tracer

tracer
/ (ˈtreɪsə) /

noun

a person or thing that traces
  1. a projectile that can be observed when in flight by the burning of chemical substances in its base
  2. ammunition consisting of such projectiles
  3. (as modifier)tracer fire
med any radioactive isotope introduced into the body to study metabolic processes, absorption, etc, by following its progress through the body with a gamma camera or other detector
an investigation to trace missing cargo, mail, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for tracer

tracer
[ trā′sər ]

n.

A substance, such as a dye or a radioactive isotope, that is introduced into and followed through a biological or chemical process, by virtue of its radioactive signature, color, or other distinguishing physical property, thus providing information on the course of the process or on the components or events involved.
An instrument used in dissecting nerves and blood vessels.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for tracer

tracer
[ trā′sər ]

An identifiable substance, such as a dye or radioactive isotope, that can be followed through the course of a mechanical, chemical, or biological process. Tracers are used in radioimmunoassays and other laboratory testing. The use of radioactive iodine, for example, can give information about thyroid gland metabolism. Also called label
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.