Following behind someone or something, often at a distance. Also refers to something dragging along the ground or extending behind.
From Middle English 'trailen', possibly from Old French 'trailler' meaning 'to tow'. Related to 'trail' meaning path or track. The sense evolved from dragging something along to following a path or pursuing someone.
The word captures both physical and metaphorical following - from a dress trailing on the ground to trailing in a race to trailing someone suspicious. It's fascinating how the image of something dragging behind became our metaphor for being second place.
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