Far from plodding along the trodden path, she courageously explores new areas. The proud beasts have not trodden it. In politics, also, he seems to have trodden in the footsteps of Aristotle. Where can he be going, after having trodden upon so many fallen flowers? The second derivation route is simply the hard, trodden surface of a path. A lawn that has excessive thatch may feel spongy when trodden upon. It is thrown against a wall or trodden under foot. The roof was double sloping, and the floor was made of trodden clay. The leaves break with a fine crisp crackle when trodden on.