trailing

adj

1. (not-comparable)That converge in the direction of travel.

   “On the far hillside we are approaching can be descried a bridge on the first section (Ruabon–Llangollen) of the important G.W.R. branch to Dolgelley, which will shortly join our main line by means of a trailing junction.”

2. (not-comparable)That follows behind; especially, that is attached and pulled behind.

   “the trailing railcars”

   “the trailing comments”

   “no trailing whitespace characters”

   “On the long, continuous downgrades of East Africa dynamic braking is of special value; the traction motors are used as generators and their energy output dissipated in force-ventilated banks of resistors. This facility enables a 700-ton trailing load, for example, to be brought down a 1 in 66 gradient at any selected speed between 14 and 25 m.p.h. without use of the air brakes.”

   “Having reversed at Eastbourne, I am in the trailing car, which leaps and fishtails around so much on our way to Bexhill that I have trouble writing coherent notes.”

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of trail

noun

1. Fabric or other material that trails.

   “[…] their roots, projecting in fibrous sprawls from their trunks, were their feet, and she pictured them advancing with wide trailings, and rustlings as of green draperies […]”

   “All too often, the spout of a soap dispenser rests over the counter and leaves trailings of soap that must be wiped up frequently if a clean appearance is to be maintained.”