trencher

American  

[tren-cher] / ˈtrɛn tʃər /

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.

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trencher ¹ British  

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

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

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

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trencher ² British  

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches

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Etymology

Origin of trencher

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

Example Sentences

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

From Salon

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

From Washington Post

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

From Literature

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

From Washington Times

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

From Literature

Related Words

• disc
• dish
• disk
• tray