trice

¹

[trahys]

noun

1. a very short time; an instant.

   in a trice.

trice

²

[trahys]

verb (used with object)

Nautical.

triced, tricing 

1. to pull or haul with a rope.

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

-trice

³

1. variant of -trix.

trice

¹

/ traɪs /

noun

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

trice

²

/ traɪs /

verb

1. nautical to haul up or secure

Other Word Forms

• untriced adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trice¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English tryse; probably special use of trise (unrecorded) “a pull, tug,” derivative of trisen, “to pull”; trice ²

Origin of trice²

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

Origin of trice³

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of trice¹

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

Origin of trice²

C15: from Middle Dutch trīsen , from trīse pulley

Example Sentences

“Nowadays it often seems writing is nothing at all,” Duras recorded in it presciently, years before the internet made everyone a créateur or -trice.

Read more on New York Times

At least a hundred people died in that one, including 15 who were standing on bridges marveling at the rush of waters when, in a trice, the waters tore away the bridges.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Maggot topping, all slimy and nice! I shall devour it in a trice!"

Read more on Literature

In a trice they were back, moist snouts poking from the excavation.

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Healy was later accused of “tricing” some of the mutineers – that is, tying their hands behind their backs, then hanging them so that their toes barely touched the deck.

Read more on Reuters

Related Words

• bit 
• date 
• flash 
• hour 
• juncture 
• minute 
• occasion 
• point 
• stage 
• time