trencher

[ tren-cher ]

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches.
2. ditchdigger ( def 3 ).
3. a rectangular or circular flat piece of wood on which meat, or other food, is served or carved.
4. such a piece of wood and the food on it.
5. Archaic. food; the pleasures of good eating.

trencher

¹

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches

trencher

²

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a wooden board on which food was served or cut
2. See mortarboard
   Also calledtrencher cap another name for mortarboard

Word History and Origins

Origin of trencher¹

1275–1325; Middle English trenchour something to cut with or on < Anglo-French; Middle French trencheoir. See trench, -ory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of trencher¹

C14 trenchour knife, plate for carving on, from Old French trencheoir , from trenchier to cut; see trench

Example Sentences

A knife or fork with horizontal handles does not sit naturally in the curved structure of a trencher or a pottage bowl.

From The Daily Beast

For the moment it was this hundredth man Trencher would have to fear.

From Project Gutenberg

"Crowd chasing a pickpocket, I imagine," said Trencher indifferently.

From Project Gutenberg

Trencher, looking slantwise to the south, could see them plainly.

From Project Gutenberg

But Trencher had quit looking that way and was looking another way.

From Project Gutenberg

Moreover, this person was staring directly in Trencher's direction.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disc
• dish
• disk
• tray