troth

[trawth, trohth]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR troth ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

faithfulness, fidelity, or loyalty: by my troth.

truth or verity: in troth.

one's word or promise, especially in engaging oneself to marry.

Origin of troth

1125–75; Middle English trowthe, trouthe, variant of treuthe, Old English trēowth. See truth

Related formstroth·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for troth

pledge, engagement, betrothal, promise, declaration, fidelity

Examples from the Web for troth

Contemporary Examples of troth

Despite having long ago plighted his troth to the lunatic right, he is certainly trying.
Ted Cruz Runs Against His Own Government Shutdown
Joe McLean
January 30, 2014
David Freedlander reports from a Romney rally where even hitherto lukewarm fans pledged their troth.
Why Voters Attend Final-Days Campaign Rallies
David Freedlander
November 6, 2012

Historical Examples of troth

Come, my daughter, shake hands with this gentleman, and pledge him your troth.
The Imaginary Invalid
Molire
Now by my troth, so foolish that I myself can hardly refrain laughter.
The Praise of Folly
Desiderius Erasmus
Believe me, you will have enough to do: there, I pledge you my troth.
Vivian Grey
Earl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli
"Troth, an' there's little to see when you get there," rejoined the other, sarcastically.
Roland Cashel
Charles James Lever
Troth, and I'll tell you: there's not a man in Kerry could say what's her price.
The O'Donoghue
Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for troth

troth

noun archaic

a pledge or oath of fidelity, esp a betrothal

truth (esp in the phrase in troth)

loyalty; fidelity

Word Origin for troth

Old English trēowth; related to Old High German gitriuwida loyalty; see truth

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

Word Origin and History for troth

late 12c., from a phonetic variant of Old English treowð "faithfulness, truth" (see truth). Restricted to Midlands and Northern England dialect after 16c., and to certain archaic phrases (e.g. plight one's troth). Cf. also betroth.