Lewis & Short

trāmĕs, ĭtis, m. [akin to trans, and Gr. τέρμα, goal].

  1. I. Lit., a cross-way, sideway, by-path, foot-path (cf. semita): domum ire coepi tramite, Plaut. Fragm. ap. Varr. L. L. 7, § 62 Müll.: egressus est non viis, sed tramitibus, paludatus, Cic. Phil. 13, 9, 19: in Apennini tramitibus, id. ib. 12, 11, 26: per tramites occulte perfugeret, Sall. C. 57, 1: per tramites occultos, id. J. 48, 2: transvorsis tramitibus transgressus, Liv. 2, 39, 3; Suet. Caes. 31: per devios tramites refugiens, id. Aug. 16; Prop. 3, 13 (4, 12), 44; 3 (4), 22, 24; Verg. A. 11, 515 al.
    1. B. Transf.
      1. 1. Poet., in gen., a way, path, road, course, flight: cito decurrit tramite virgo, Verg. A. 5, 610: facili jam tramite sistam, id. ib. 6, 676: palantes error certo de tramite pellit. Hor. S. 2, 3, 49; Ov. F. 3, 13; id. M. 10, 53; Sen. Ep. 84, 13; Stat. Th. 2, 48: trames aquae immensae, a channel, Vulg. Ecclus. 24, 41.
      2. * 2. Branches of a family, Gell. 13, 19, 15.
  2. II. Trop., a way of life, way, course, method, manner: (Epicurus) viam monstravit, tramite parvo Qua possemus ad id recto contendere cursu, Lucr. 6, 27: ab aequitatis recto tramite deviare, Amm. 22, 10, 2: augustissimus ad immortalitatis praemium, Lact. 5, 18, 11 al.