Track , v. t. [imp. & p. p. tracked (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
tracking.]
To follow the tracks or traces of; to
pursue by following the marks of the feet; to trace; to trail; as, to
track a deer in the snow.
It was often found impossible to track the robbers to their retreats among the hills and morasses.
Macaulay. 2. (Naut.) To draw along
continuously, as a vessel, by a line, men or animals on shore being the motive power; to tow.
Track (?), n. [OF. trac track of horses, mules, trace of animals; of Teutonic origin; cf.D. trek a
drawing, trekken to draw, travel, march, MHG. trechen, pret. trach. Cf.
Trick.]
1. A mark left by something that has passed along; as, the
track, or wake, of a ship; the track of a
meteor; the track of a
sled or a wheel.
The bright track of his fiery car.
Shak. 2.
A mark or
impression left by the foot, either of man
or beast; trace; vestige; footprint.
Far from track of men.
Milton.
3. (Zoöl.) The entire lower surface of the foot; --
said of birds, etc.
4. A road;
a beaten path.
Behold Torquatus the same track pursue.
Dryden.
5. Course; way; as, the
track of a comet.
6. A path
or course laid out for
a race, for
exercise, etc.
7.
(Railroad) The
permanent way; the rails.
8. [Perhaps a mistake for tract.] A tract or area, as of land. [Obs.] "Small
tracks of ground." Fuller.
Track scale, a railway scale. See under Railway.
Hear it pronounced