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trice

1
[ trahys ]
/ traɪs /
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noun
a very short time; an instant: in a trice.
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Origin of trice

1
1400–50; late Middle English tryse; probably special use of *trise a pull, tug, derivative of trisen, to pull; see trice2

Other definitions for trice (2 of 3)

trice2
[ trahys ]
/ traɪs /

verb (used with object), triced, tric·ing.Nautical.
to pull or haul with a rope.
to haul up and fasten with a rope (usually followed by up).

Origin of trice

2
1350–1400; Middle English trisen<Middle Dutch trīsen to hoist, derivative of trīse pulley

OTHER WORDS FROM trice

un·triced, adjective

Other definitions for trice (3 of 3)

-trice

variant of -trix.

Origin of -trice

<French or Italian -trice<Latin -trīcem, accusative of -trīx-trix
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use trice in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for trice (1 of 2)

trice1
/ (traɪs) /

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

Word Origin for trice

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

Word Origin for trice

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
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