trencher

[tren-cher]

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches.

2. ditchdigger.

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. (esp formerly) a wooden board on which food was served or cut

2. Also called: trencher cap. another name for mortarboard

trencher

²

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches

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

Admittedly, these plates would have been like trenchers, sturdy supports made of baked dough.

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Instead of plates, there were bread trenchers, which would soak up the juices and be then thrown to the dogs.

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Yesterday Mother Ermentrude herself cleaned and dried all the trenchers and spoons.

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The facility will include a heavy equipment arena to train workers using scaffolds, trenchers, cranes, scissor lifts and more.

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“Excellent. Next, I’ll be eating with a trencher and throwing bones to the dogs over my shoulder.”

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Related Words

• disc 
• dish 
• disk 
• tray