trice

1
[ trahys ]
See synonyms for trice on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a very short time; an instant: in a trice.

Origin of trice

1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English tryse; probably special use of trise (unrecorded) “a pull, tug,” derivative of trisen, “to pull”; see trice2

Other definitions for trice (2 of 3)

trice2
[ trahys ]

verb (used with object),triced, tric·ing.Nautical.
  1. to pull or haul with a rope.

  2. to haul up and fasten with a rope (usually followed by up).

Origin of trice

2
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English trisen, from Middle Dutch trīsen “to hoist,” derivative of trīse “pulley”

Other words from trice

  • un·triced, adjective

Other definitions for -trice (3 of 3)

-trice

  1. variant of -trix.

Origin of -trice

3
<French or Italian -trice<Latin -trīcem, accusative of -trīx-trix

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How to use trice in a sentence

  • The affair took place in 1652, and was fought with swords, the Colonel being run through the body in a trice.

  • In a trice he speeded up the Comet and leaped forward toward the caon, sand and loosened pebbles dropping all around him.

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  • Hence to Tom trice for the probate of the will and had it done to my mind, which did give my father and me good content.

  • Early to my cozen Thomas trice to discourse about our affairs, and he did make demand of the L200 and the interest thereof.

  • Up, and this morning comes Mr. Clerke, and tells me that the Injunction against trice is dismissed again, which troubles me much.

British Dictionary definitions for trice (1 of 2)

trice1

/ (traɪs) /


noun
  1. moment; instant (esp in the phrase in a trice)

Origin of trice

1
C15 (in the phrase at or in a trice, in the sense: at one tug): apparent substantive use of trice ²

British Dictionary definitions for trice (2 of 2)

trice2

/ (traɪs) /


verb
  1. (tr often foll by up) nautical to haul up or secure

Origin of trice

2
C15: from Middle Dutch trīsen, from trīse pulley

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012