trailing
UK: ˈtreɪlɪŋ | US: ˈtreɪlɪŋ
adj. 1. following behind or moving at the end of something
adj. 2. hanging or dragging loosely
v. (present participle of trail) 3. to follow the path or traces of something
The word trailing derives from the verb trail, which originated in Middle English trailen, meaning "to drag or draw along." This likely came from Old French trailler, itself from Vulgar Latin tragulare (to drag), linked to Latin trahere (to pull). The suffix -ing forms the present participle, indicating ongoing action or state. The evolution reflects the physical act of dragging or following, later extending metaphorically to concepts like lagging behind.
The trailing vines swayed gently in the breeze.
She noticed a trailing thread on her sweater and pulled it off.
The hikers were trailing behind the group, exhausted.
The detective spent hours trailing the suspect through the city.
A trailing scent of lavender lingered in the room.