to change gradually or wander from a course, so as to become weak, ineffectual, etc. (usually followed by off or away): Her voice trailed off into silence.
17.
to arrive or be last: He finally trailed in at 10 o'clock.
18.
to be losing in a contest: The home team was trailing 20 to 15.
19.
to creep or crawl, as a serpent.
20.
to follow a track or scent, as of game.
21.
(of a plant) to extend itself in growth along the ground rather than taking root or clinging by tendrils, etc.
to hold a rifle in the right hand at an oblique angle, with the muzzle forward and the butt a few inches off the ground.
b.
a command to trail arms.
Origin: 1275–1325; Middle English trailen to draw or drag in the rear; compare Old English træglian to tear off; cognate with Middle Dutch traghelen to drag; akin to Latvian dragât to tear off, drag
Related forms
trail·ing·ly, adverb
trail·less, adjective
non·trail·ing, adjective
un·trailed, adjective
un·trail·ing, adjective
Can be confused:trail, trial (see synonym note at trial).
c.1300, "train of a robe," from the source of trail (v.). The meaning "track or smell left by a person or animal" is also from 1590. Meaning "path or track worn in wilderness" is attested from 1807.