tr -abbr

  1. translated; translation; translator
  2. transpose

tra·be·at·ed ['trā-bē-,ā-təd] -adj, n

  1. designed or constructed with horizontal beams or lintels

tra·bec·u·la [trə-'be-kyə-lə] -n, adj

  1. a small bar, rod, bundle of fibers, or septal membrane in the framework of a body organ or part
  2. a fold, ridge, or bar projecting into or extending from a plant part
  3. a row of cells bridging an intercellular space

trace ['trās] -n, adj

  1. a course or path that one follows
  2. a mark or line left by something that has passed
  3. footprint
  4. a path, trail, or road made by the passage of animals, people, or vehicles
  5. a sign or evidence of some past thing : vestige
  6. engram
  7. : something (as a line) traced or drawn: as
  8. the marking made by a recording instrument (as a seismograph or kymograph)
  9. the ground plan of a military installation or position either on a map or on the ground
  10. the intersection of a line or plane with a plane
  11. the usu. bright line or spot that moves across the screen of a cathode-ray tube
  12. the path taken by such a line or spot
  13. a minute and often barely detectable amount or indication
    • a trace of a smile
  14. an amount of a chemical constituent not always quantitatively determinable because of minuteness
  15. delineate, sketch
  16. to form (as letters or figures) carefully or painstakingly
  17. to copy (as a drawing) by following the lines or letters as seen through a transparent superimposed sheet
  18. to impress or imprint (as a design or pattern) with a tracer
  19. to record a tracing of in the form of a curved, wavy, or broken line
    • trace the heart action
  20. to adorn with linear ornamentation (as tracery or chasing)
  21. to travel over : traverse
  22. to follow the footprints, track, or trail of
  23. to follow or study out in detail or step by step
    • trace the history of the labor movement
  24. to discover by going backward over the evidence step by step
    • trace your ancestry
  25. to discover signs, evidence, or remains of
  26. to lay out the trace of (a military installation)
  27. to make one's way
  28. to follow a track or trail
  29. to be traceable historically
  30. either of two straps, chains, or lines of a harness for attaching a draft animal to something (as a vehicle) to be drawn
  31. leader
  32. one or more vascular bundles supplying a leaf or twig

trace element -n

  1. a chemical element present in minute quantities
  2. one used by organisms and held essential to their physiology

trace fossil -n

  1. a fossil (as of a dinosaur footprint) that shows the activity of an animal or plant but is not formed from the organism itself

trac·er ['trā-sər] -n

  1. : one that traces, tracks down, or searches out: as
  2. a person who traces missing persons or property and esp. goods lost in transit
  3. an inquiry sent out in tracing a shipment lost in transit
  4. one who traces designs, patterns, or markings
  5. a device (as a stylus) used in tracing
  6. ammunition containing a chemical composition to mark the flight of projectiles by a trail of smoke or light
  7. a substance used to trace the course of a chemical or biological process
  8. label

trac·ery ['trā-sə-rē, 'trās-rē] -n, adj

  1. architectural ornamental work with branching lines
  2. decorative openwork in the head of a Gothic window
  3. a decorative interlacing of lines suggestive of Gothic tracery

trache- -comb form

  1. trachea
    • trache itis
    • tracheo tomy
  2. tracheal and
    • tracheo bronchial

tra·chea ['trā-kē-ə] -n, adj

  1. the main trunk of the system of tubes by which air passes to and from the lungs in vertebrates
  2. vessel
  3. one of its constituent cellular elements
  4. one of the air-conveying tubules forming the respiratory system of most insects and many other arthropods

tra·che·ary ['trā-kē-,er-ē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being plant tracheae
    • tracheary elements

tra·che·ate [-kē-,āt, -ət] -adj

  1. having tracheae as breathing organs

tra·cheid ['trā-kē-əd, -,kēd] -n

  1. a long tubular pitted cell that is peculiar to xylem, functions in conduction and support, and has tapering closed ends and thickened lignified walls

tra·che·i·tis [,trā-kē-'ī-təs] -n

  1. inflammation of the trachea

tra·cheo·bron·chi·al [,trā-kē-ō-'bräŋ-kē-əl] -adj

  1. of or relating to both trachea and bronchi
    • tracheobronchial lesions

tra·che·ole ['trā-kē-,ōl] -n, adj

  1. one of the minute delicate endings of a branched trachea of an insect

tra·cheo·phyte ['trā-kē-ə-,fīt] -n

  1. any of a division (Tracheophyta) comprising green plants (as ferns and seed plants) with a vascular system that contains tracheids or tracheary elements

tra·che·os·to·my [,trā-kē-'äs-tə-mē] -n

  1. the surgical formation of an opening into the trachea through the neck esp. to allow the passage of air

tra·che·ot·o·my [,trā-kē-'ä-tə-mē] -n

  1. the surgical operation of cutting into the trachea esp. through the skin

tra·cho·ma [trə-'kō-mə] -n

  1. a chronic contagious bacterial conjunctivitis marked by inflammatory granulations on the conjunctival surfaces, caused by a chlamydia ( Chlamydia trachomatis), and commonly resulting in blindness if left untreated

tra·chyte ['tra-,kīt, 'trā-] -n

  1. a usu. light-colored volcanic rock consisting chiefly of potash feldspar

tra·chyt·ic [trə-'ki-tik] -adj

  1. of or relating to a texture of igneous rocks in which lath-shaped feldspar crystals are in almost parallel lines

tracing -n

  1. : something that is traced: as
  2. a copy made on a superimposed transparent sheet
  3. a graphic record made by an instrument (as a seismograph) that registers some movement
  4. the act of one that traces

tracing paper -n

  1. a semitransparent paper for tracing drawings
  2. a thin paper containing a clothing pattern to be transferred to fabric (as through carbon paper) by tracing

tracing wheel -n

  1. a usu. toothed wheel with a handle that is used on tracing paper to trace a pattern

track ['trak] -n, adj

  1. detectable evidence (as the wake of a ship, a line of footprints, or a wheel rut) that something has passed
  2. a path made by or as if by repeated footfalls : trail
  3. a course laid out esp. for racing
  4. the parallel rails of a railroad
  5. one of a series of parallel or concentric paths along which material (as music or information) is recorded (as on a phonograph record or magnetic tape)
  6. a group of grooves on a phonograph record containing recorded sound
  7. material recorded esp. on or as if on a track
    • a laugh track
    • instrumental track s
    • a bonus commentary track on a DVD
  8. a usu. metal way (as a groove) serving as a guide (as for a movable lighting fixture)
  9. a footprint whether recent or fossil
    • the huge track of a dinosaur
  10. the course along which something moves or progresses
  11. a way of life, conduct, or action
  12. one of several curricula of study to which students are assigned according to their needs or levels of ability
  13. the projection on the earth's surface of the path along which something (as a missile or an airplane) has flown
  14. a sequence of events : a train of ideas : succession
  15. an awareness of a fact, progression, or condition
    • keep track of the costs
    • lose track of the time
  16. the width of a wheeled vehicle from wheel to wheel and usu. from the outside of the rims
  17. the tread of an automobile tire
  18. either of two endless belts on which a tracklaying vehicle travels
  19. track-and-field sports
  20. those performed on a running track
  21. to follow the tracks or traces of : trail
  22. to search for by following evidence until found
    • track down the source
  23. to follow by vestiges : trace
  24. to observe or plot the moving path of (as a spacecraft or missile) often instrumentally
  25. to travel over : traverse
    • track a desert
  26. to make tracks upon
  27. to carry (as mud) on the feet and deposit
  28. to keep track of (as a trend) : follow
  29. travel
    • a comet track ing eastward
  30. to follow the groove undulations of a recording
  31. to maintain a constant distance apart on the straightaway
  32. to fit a track or rails
  33. to follow accurately the corresponding fore wheel on a straightaway
  34. to leave tracks (as on a floor)

track·age ['tra-kij] -n

  1. lines of railway track
  2. a right to use the tracks of another railroad line
  3. the charge for such right

trackandfield [,trak-ən(d)-'fēld] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being any of various competitive athletic events (as running, jumping, and weight throwing) performed on a running track and on the adjacent field

track·ball ['trak-,bȯl] -n

  1. a ball that is mounted usu. in a computer console so as to be only partially exposed and that is rotated to control the movement of a cursor on a display

tracked ['trakt] -adj

  1. traveling on endless metal belts instead of wheels
  2. moving along a rail
    • a tracked air-cushion vehicle

track·ing ['tra-kiŋ] -n

  1. the assigning of students to a curricular track

tracking shot -n

  1. a scene photographed from a moving dolly

tracking stock -n

  1. a stock the value of which is linked to the performance of a company division but which does not confer ownership in the company or the division

track·lay·er ['trak-,lā-ər, -,ler] -n

  1. a worker engaged in tracklaying
  2. a tracklaying vehicle

track·lay·ing [-,lā-iŋ] -n

  1. the laying of tracks on a railway line

tracklaying -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a vehicle that travels on two or more endless usu. metal belts

trackless trolley -n

  1. trolleybus

track lighting -n

  1. adjustable lamps mounted along an electrified metal track

track·man ['trak-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a runner on a track team

track record -n

  1. a record of past performance often taken as an indicator of likely future performance

track·side ['trak-,sīd] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or situated in the area immediately adjacent to a track

track·suit ['trak-,süt] -n

  1. a suit of clothing consisting usu. of a jacket and pants that is often worn by athletes when working out

track·walk·er [-,wȯ-kər] -n

  1. a worker employed to walk over and inspect a section of railroad tracks

track·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a beaten or trodden path
  2. a series of fossil footprints (as of a dinosaur)

tract ['trakt] -n

  1. verses of Scripture (as from the Psalms) used between the gradual and the Gospel at some masses (as during penitential seasons)
  2. extent or lapse of time
  3. : an area either large or small: as
  4. an indefinite stretch of land
  5. a defined area of land
  6. a system of body parts or organs that act together to perform some function
    • the digestive tract
  7. a bundle of nerve fibers having a common origin, termination, and function
  8. a pamphlet or leaflet of political or religious propaganda
  9. a piece of writing that is suggestive of such a tract

trac·ta·ble ['trak-tə-bəl] -adj, n, adv

  1. capable of being easily led, taught, or controlled : docile
    • a tractable horse
  2. easily handled, managed, or wrought : malleable

Trac·tar·i·an [trak-'ter-ē-ən] -n

  1. a promoter or supporter of the Oxford movement

Trac·tar·i·an·ism [-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. a system of High Church principles set forth in a series of tracts at Oxford (183341)

trac·tate ['trak-,tāt] -n

  1. treatise, dissertation

tract house -n

  1. any of many similarly designed houses built on a tract of land

trac·tion ['trak-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act of drawing : the state of being drawn
  2. the force exerted in drawing
  3. the drawing of a vehicle by motive power
  4. the motive power employed
  5. the adhesive friction of a body on a surface on which it moves
    • the traction of a wheel on a rail
  6. a pulling force exerted on a skeletal structure (as in a fracture) by means of a special device
    • a traction splint
  7. a state of tension created by such a pulling force
    • a leg in traction

trac·tive ['trak-tiv] -adj

  1. serving to draw
  2. of or relating to traction : tractional

trac·tor ['trak-tər] -n

  1. a 4-wheeled or tracklaying automotive vehicle used esp. for drawing farm equipment
  2. a smaller 2-wheeled apparatus controlled through handlebars by a walking operator
  3. truck
  4. an airplane having the propeller forward of the main supporting surfaces

trad ['trad] -adj

  1. traditional

trade ['trād] -n

  1. a path traversed : way
  2. a track or trail left by a person or animal : tread
  3. a customary course of action : practice
    • thy sin's not accidental, but a trade -- Shak.
  4. the business or work in which one engages regularly : occupation
  5. an occupation requiring manual or mechanical skill : craft
  6. the persons engaged in an occupation, business, or industry
  7. dealings between persons or groups
  8. the business of buying and selling or bartering commodities : commerce
  9. business, market
    • novelties for the tourist trade
    • did a good trade in small appliances
  10. an act or instance of trading : transaction
  11. an exchange of property usu. without use of money
  12. a firm's customers : clientele
  13. the group of firms engaged in a business or industry
  14. trade wind usu. used in pl.
  15. a publication intended for persons in the entertainment business usu. used in pl.
  16. to have dealings : negotiate
  17. to engage in the exchange, purchase, or sale of goods
  18. to make one's purchases : shop
    • trade s at his store
  19. to give one thing in exchange for another
  20. sell
  21. to do business with
  22. to give in exchange for another commodity : barter
  23. to make an exchange of
    • traded places
  24. to engage in frequent buying and selling of (as stocks or commodities) usu. in search of quick profits
  25. of, relating to, or used in trade
  26. intended for or limited to persons in a business or industry
    • a trade publication
    • trade sales
  27. serving others in the same business rather than the ultimate user or consumer
    • a trade printing house
  28. of, composed of, or representing the trades or trade unions
    • a trade committee
  29. having a larger softcover format than that of a mass-market paperback and usu. sold only in bookstores
    • trade paperbacks
  30. of or relating to the publishing of such books

trade acceptance -n

  1. a time draft or bill of exchange for the amount of a specific purchase drawn by the seller on the buyer, bearing the buyer's acceptance, and often noting the place of payment (as a bank)

trade agreement -n

  1. an international agreement on conditions of trade in goods and services
  2. an agreement resulting from collective bargaining

trade book -n

  1. a book intended for general readership
  2. trade edition

trade·craft ['trād-,kraft] -n

  1. the techniques and procedures of espionage

trade discount -n

  1. a deduction from the list price of goods allowed by a manufacturer or wholesaler to a retailer

trade dollar -n

  1. a U.S. silver dollar weighing 420 grains .900 fine issued 187385 for use in east Asian trade

trade down -vi

  1. to trade something in (as an automobile) for something less expensive or valuable of its kind
  2. to stock or purchase lower-priced items : economize

trade edition -n

  1. an edition of a book intended for general distribution

tradein ['trād-,in] -n

  1. an item of merchandise (as an automobile or refrigerator) taken as payment or part payment for a purchase

trade in -vt

  1. to turn in as payment or part payment for a purchase or bill
    • trade the old car in on a new one
  2. exchange

trade language -n

  1. a restructured language (as a lingua franca or pidgin) used esp. in commercial communication

tradelast ['trād-,last] -n

  1. a complimentary remark by a third person that a hearer offers to repeat to the person complimented if he or she will first report a compliment made about the hearer

trade·mark [-,märk] -n

  1. a device (as a word) pointing distinctly to the origin or ownership of merchandise to which it is applied and legally reserved to the exclusive use of the owner as maker or seller
  2. a distinguishing characteristic or feature firmly associated with a person or thing
    • wearing his trademark bow tie and derby hat

trademark -vt

  1. to secure trademark rights for : register the trademark of

trade name -n

  1. the name used for an article among traders
  2. brand name
  3. the name or style under which a concern does business
  4. to designate with a trade name

tradeoff ['trād-,ȯf] -n, vt

  1. a balancing of factors all of which are not attainable at the same time
    • the education versus experience tradeoff which governs personnel practices -- H. S. White
  2. a giving up of one thing in return for another : exchange

trad·er ['trā-dər] -n

  1. : a person whose business is buying and selling or barter: as
  2. merchant
  3. a person who buys and sells (as stocks or commodities futures) in search of short-term profits
  4. a ship engaged in the coastal or foreign trade

trade route -n

  1. one of the sea-lanes ordinarily used by merchant ships
  2. a route followed by traders (as in caravans)

trad·es·can·tia [,tra-də-'skan(t)-sh(ē-)ə] -n

  1. spiderwort

trade school -n

  1. a secondary school teaching the skilled trades

trade secret -n

  1. something (as a formula) which has economic value to a business because it is not generally known or easily discoverable by observation and for which efforts have been made to maintain secrecy

trade show -n

  1. a large exposition to promote awareness and sales of esp. new products within an industry
    • a computer trade show

trades·man ['trādz-mən] -n

  1. a worker in a skilled trade : craftsman
  2. one who runs a retail store : shopkeeper

trades·peo·ple [-,pē-pəl] -n pl

  1. people engaged in trade

trade union -n

  1. labor union

trade up -vi

  1. to trade something in (as an automobile) for something more expensive or valuable of its kind
  2. to stock or purchase higher-priced items

trade wind -n

  1. a wind blowing almost constantly in one direction
  2. a wind blowing almost continually toward the equator from the northeast in the belt between the northern horse latitudes and the doldrums and from the southeast in the belt between the southern horse latitudes and the doldrums usu. used in pl.

trading post -n

  1. a station of a trader or trading company established in a sparsely settled region where trade in products of local origin (as furs) is carried on
  2. post

trading stamp -n

  1. a printed stamp of value given as a premium to a retail customer to be redeemed in merchandise when accumulated in numbers

tra·di·tion [trə-'di-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thought, action, or behavior (as a religious practice or a social custom)
  2. a belief or story or a body of beliefs or stories relating to the past that are commonly accepted as historical though not verifiable
  3. the handing down of information, beliefs, and customs by word of mouth or by example from one generation to another without written instruction
  4. cultural continuity in social attitudes, customs, and institutions
  5. characteristic manner, method, or style
    • in the best liberal tradition

tra·di·tion·al·ism [trə-'dish-nə-,li-zəm, -'di-shə-nᵊl-,i-] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. adherence to the doctrines or practices of a tradition
  2. the beliefs of those opposed to modernism, liberalism, or radicalism

tra·di·tion·al·ize [trə-'dish-nə-,līz, -'di-shə-nᵊl-,īz] -vt

  1. to make traditional : imbue with traditions or traditionalism

tra·di·tion·ary [trə-'di-shə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. traditional

tra·duce [trə-'düs, -'dyüs] -vt, n

  1. to expose to shame or blame by means of falsehood and misrepresentation
  2. violate, betray
    • traduce a principle of law

traf·fic ['tra-fik] -n

  1. import and export trade
  2. the business of bartering or buying and selling
  3. illegal or disreputable usu. commercial activity
    • the drug traffic
  4. communication or dealings esp. between individuals or groups
  5. exchange
    • a lively traffic in ideas -- F. L. Allen
  6. wares, goods
  7. the movement (as of vehicles or pedestrians) through an area or along a route
  8. the vehicles, pedestrians, ships, or planes moving along a route
  9. congestion of vehicles
    • stuck in traffic
  10. the information or signals transmitted over a communications system : messages
  11. the passengers or cargo carried by a transportation system
  12. the business of transporting passengers or freight
  13. the volume of customers visiting a business establishment
    • restaurant traffic
  14. a concentration of participants or players and esp. defensive players
    • force difficult shots in traffic

traffic -vb, n

  1. to carry on traffic
  2. to concentrate one's effort or interest
  3. engage, deal
    • a writer who often traffic s in hyperbole
  4. to travel over
    • heavily trafficked highways
  5. to visit as a customer
    • a highly trafficked bookstore
  6. trade, barter

traf·fic·abil·i·ty [,tra-fi-kə-'bi-lə-tē] -n, adj

  1. the quality of a terrain that permits passage (as of vehicles and troops)

traffic circle -n

  1. rotary

traffic cone -n

  1. a conical marker used on a road or highway (as for indicating an area under repair)

traffic court -n

  1. a minor court for disposition of petty prosecutions for violations of statutes, ordinances, and local regulations governing the use of highways and motor vehicles

traffic engineering -n

  1. engineering dealing with the design of streets and control of traffic

traffic island -n

  1. island

traffic light -n

  1. a visual signal (as a system of colored lights) for controlling traffic

traffic signal -n

  1. a signal (as a traffic light) for controlling traffic

trag -abbr

  1. tragedy; tragic

trag·a·canth ['tra-jə-,kan(t)th, 'tra-gə-, -kən(t)th; also 'tra-gə-,san(t)th] -n

  1. a gum obtained from various Asian or East European plants (genus Astragalusand esp. A. gummifer) of the legume family that swells in water and is used chiefly as an emulsifying, suspending, or thickening agent

tra·ge·di·an [trə-'jē-dē-ən] -n

  1. a writer of tragedies
  2. an actor specializing in tragic roles

tra·ge·di·enne [trə-,jē-dē-'en] -n

  1. an actress who plays tragic roles

trag·e·dy ['tra-jə-dē] -n

  1. a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man
  2. a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror
  3. the literary genre of tragic dramas
  4. a disastrous event : calamity
  5. misfortune
  6. tragic quality or element

trag·ic ['tra-jik] -adj, adv

  1. of, marked by, or expressive of tragedy
    • the tragic significance of the atomic bomb -- H. S. Truman
  2. dealing with or treated in tragedy
    • the tragic hero
  3. appropriate to or typical of tragedy
  4. regrettably serious or unpleasant : deplorable, lamentable
    • a tragic mistake
  5. marked by a sense of tragedy

tragic flaw -n

  1. a flaw in character that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy

tragic irony -n

  1. irony

tragi·com·e·dy [,tra-ji-'kä-mə-dē] -n

  1. a drama or a situation blending tragic and comic elements

tragi·com·ic [,tra-ji-'kä-mik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling tragicomedy
  2. manifesting both tragic and comic aspects

tra·gus ['trā-gəs] -n

  1. the prominence in front of the external opening of the outer ear

trail ['trāl] -vb

  1. to hang down so as to drag along or sweep the ground
  2. to extend over a surface in a loose or straggling manner
    • a vine that trail s over the ground
  3. to grow to such length as to droop over toward the ground
    • trail ing branches of a weeping birch
  4. to walk or proceed draggingly, heavily, or wearily : plod, trudge
  5. to lag behind : do poorly in relation to others
  6. to move, flow, or extend slowly in thin streams
    • smoke trail ing from chimneys
  7. to extend in an erratic or uneven course or line : straggle
  8. dwindle
    • her voice trail ing off
  9. to follow a trail : track game
  10. to draw or drag loosely along a surface : allow to sweep the ground
  11. haul, tow
  12. to drag (as a limb or the body) heavily or wearily
  13. to carry or bring along as an addition, burden, or encumbrance
  14. to draw along in one's wake
  15. to follow upon the scent or trace of : track
  16. to follow in the footsteps of : pursue
  17. to follow along behind
  18. to lag behind (as a competitor)
  19. : something that trails or is trailed: as
  20. a trailing plant
  21. the train of a gown
  22. a trailing arrangement (as of flowers) : spray
  23. the part of a gun carriage that rests on the ground when the piece is unlimbered
  24. something that follows or moves along as if being drawn along : train
    • a trail of admirers
  25. the streak produced by a meteor
  26. a continuous line produced photographically by permitting the image of a celestial body (as a star) to move over the plate
  27. a chain of consequences : aftermath
    • the...movement left a trail of bitterness and prejudice behind it -- Paul Blanshard
  28. a trace or mark left by something that has passed or been drawn along : scent, track
    • a trail of blood
  29. a track made by passage esp. through a wilderness
  30. a marked or established path or route esp. through a forest or mountainous region
  31. a course followed or to be followed
    • hit the campaign trail

trail bike -n

  1. a small motorcycle designed for off-road use

trail·blaz·er ['trāl-,blā-zər] -n

  1. one that blazes a trail to guide others : pathfinder
  2. pioneer
    • a trailblazer in astrophysics

trail·blaz·ing [-ziŋ] -adj

  1. making or pointing a new way
    • trailblazing legislation

trail·break·er [-,brā-kər] -n

  1. trailblazer

trail·er ['trā-lər] -n

  1. one that trails
  2. a trailing plant
  3. : a nonautomotive vehicle designed to be hauled by road: as
  4. a vehicle for transporting something
    • a boat trailer
  5. semitrailer
  6. a vehicle designed to serve wherever parked as a temporary dwelling or place of business
  7. mobile home
  8. preview
  9. a short blank strip of film attached to the end of a reel

trailer [-lə-rə-bəl] -vi, adj, n

  1. to live or travel in or with a trailer
  2. to be transportable by trailer
    • a light boat that trailer s easily
  3. to transport (as a boat) by means of a trailer

trailer park -n

  1. an area equipped to accommodate mobile homes called also trailer camp trailer court

trail·head ['trāl-,hed] -n

  1. the point at which a trail begins

trailing arbutus -n

  1. arbutus

trailing edge -n

  1. the rearmost edge of an object that moves and esp. of an airfoil

trail mix -n

  1. a mixture of seeds, nuts, and dried fruits eaten as a snack esp. by hikers

trail·side ['trāl-,sīd] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or situated in the area immediately adjacent to a trail

train ['trān] -n

  1. scheme, trick
  2. a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer
  3. retinue, suite
  4. a moving file of persons, vehicles, or animals
  5. the vehicles, personnel, and sometimes animals that furnish supply, maintenance, and evacuation services to a combat unit
  6. order of occurrence leading to some result often used in the phrase in train
    • this humiliating process had been in train for decades -- Paul Fussell
  7. an orderly succession
    • a train of thought
  8. accompanying or resultant circumstances : aftermath
    • consequences the discovery will bring in its train
  9. a line of combustible material laid to lead fire to a charge
  10. a series of moving mechanical parts (as gears) that transmit and modify motion
    • a gear train
  11. a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive
  12. an automotive tractor with one or more trailer units
  13. a series of parts or elements that together constitute a system for producing a result and esp. for carrying on a process (as of manufacture) automatically
  14. trail, drag
  15. to direct the growth of (a plant) usu. by bending, pruning, and tying
  16. to form by instruction, discipline, or drill
  17. to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient
  18. to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill
  19. to aim at an object or objective : direct
    • train ed his camera on the deer
    • train ing every effort toward success
  20. to undergo instruction, discipline, or drill
  21. to go by train

train·band ['trān-,band] -n

  1. a 17th or 18th century militia company in England or America

train·bear·er ['trān-,ber-ər] -n

  1. an attendant who holds up (as on a ceremonial occasion) the train of a robe or gown

train case -n

  1. a small boxlike piece of luggage used esp. for toilet articles

train dispatcher -n

  1. a railroad employee who directs the movement of trains within a division and coordinates their movement from one division to another

train·ee [trā-'nē] -n

  1. one that is being trained esp. for a job

train·er ['trā-nər] -n

  1. one that trains
  2. one (as a machine or vehicle) used in training
  3. a person who treats the ailments and minor injuries of the members of an athletic team
  4. sneaker

train·ing ['trā-niŋ] -n

  1. the act, process, or method of one that trains
  2. the skill, knowledge, or experience acquired by one that trains
  3. the state of being trained

training college -n

  1. teachers college

training school -n

  1. a school preparing students for a particular occupation
  2. a correctional institution for the custody and reeducation of juvenile delinquents

training table -n

  1. a table where athletes under a training regimen eat meals planned to help in their conditioning

training wheels -n pl

  1. a pair of small wheels connected to the rear axle of a bicycle to help a beginning bicyclist maintain balance

train·load ['trān-,lōd] -n

  1. the full freight or passenger capacity of a railroad train
  2. a load that fills a train

train·man ['trān-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a member of a train crew supervised by a conductor

train oil ['trān-] -n

  1. oil from a marine animal (as a whale)

traipse ['trāps] -vb, n

  1. to go on foot : walk
    • traipsed over to the restaurant
    • children traipsing at her heels
  2. to walk or travel about without apparent plan but with or without a purpose
    • a week traipsing through the Ozarks
    • traipsing from office to office
  3. tramp, walk
    • traipse the countryside

trait ['trāt, Brit usu 'trā] -n

  1. a stroke of or as if of a pencil
  2. touch, trace
  3. a distinguishing quality (as of personal character)
    • curiosity is one of her notable trait s
  4. an inherited characteristic

trai·tor ['trā-tər] -n

  1. one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty
  2. one who commits treason

trai·tor·ous ['trā-tə-rəs, 'trā-trəs] -adj, adv

  1. guilty or capable of treason
  2. constituting treason
    • traitorous activities

trai·tress ['trā-trəs] -n

  1. a woman who is a traitor

tra·ject [trə-'jekt] -vt, n

  1. transmit

tra·jec·to·ry [trə-'jek-t(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the curve that a body (as a planet or comet in its orbit or a rocket) describes in space
  2. a path, progression, or line of development resembling a physical trajectory
    • an upward career trajectory

Tra·keh·ner [tra-'kā-nər] -n

  1. any of a breed of large powerful saddle horses of East Prussian origin that excel in dressage and jumping

tram ['tram] -n

  1. : any of various vehicles: as
  2. a boxlike wagon running on rails (as in a mine)
  3. streetcar
  4. a carrier that travels on an overhead cable or rails
  5. a streetcar line
  6. to haul in a tram or over a tramway

tram·car ['tram-,kär] -n

  1. streetcar
  2. tram

tram·line [-,līn] -n

  1. a streetcar line

tram·mel ['tra-məl] -n

  1. a net for catching birds or fish
  2. one having three layers with the middle one finer-meshed and slack so that fish passing through carry some of the center net through the coarser opposite net and are trapped
  3. an adjustable pothook for a fireplace crane
  4. a shackle used for making a horse amble
  5. something impeding activity, progress, or freedom : restraint usu. used in pl.
  6. an instrument for drawing ellipses
  7. a compass for drawing large circles that consists of a beam with two sliding parts usu. used in pl.
  8. any of various gauges used for aligning or adjusting machine parts

trammel ['tra-mə-liŋ, 'tram-liŋ] -vt

  1. to catch or hold in or as if in a net : enmesh
  2. to prevent or impede the free play of : confine

tra·mon·tane [trə-'män-,tān, ,tra-mən-'] -n

  1. one dwelling in a tramontane region
  2. foreigner

tramontane -adj

  1. transalpine
  2. lying on or coming from the other side of a mountain range

tramp ['tramp, vi 1 & vt 1 are also 'trämp, 'trȯmp] -vb, n

  1. to walk, tread, or step esp. heavily
    • tramp ed loudly on the stairs
  2. to travel about on foot : hike
  3. to journey as a tramp
  4. to tread on forcibly and repeatedly
  5. to travel or wander through or over on foot
    • have tramp ed all the woods on their property
  6. vagrant
  7. a foot traveler
  8. a woman of loose morals
  9. prostitute
  10. a walking trip : hike
  11. the succession of sounds made by the beating of feet on a surface (as a road, pavement, or floor)
  12. an iron plate to protect the sole of a shoe
  13. a ship not making regular trips but taking cargo when and where it offers and to any port called also tramp steamer
  14. having no fixed abode, connection, or destination
    • a tramp dog

tramp art -n

  1. a style of wood carving flourishing in the U.S. from about 1875 to 1930 that is characterized by ornate layered whittling often of cigar boxes or fruit crates
  2. an object carved in this style

tram·ple ['tram-pəl] -vb, n

  1. tramp
  2. to tread heavily so as to bruise, crush, or injure
  3. to inflict injury or destruction esp. contemptuously or ruthlessly usu. used with on, over, or upon
    • trampling on the rights of others
  4. to crush, injure, or destroy by or as if by treading
    • trampled the flowers

tram·po·line [,tram-pə-'lēn, 'tram-pə-,] -n

  1. a resilient sheet or web (as of nylon) supported by springs in a metal frame and used as a springboard and landing area in tumbling

tram·po·lin·ing [-'lē-niŋ, -,lē-] -n

  1. the sport of jumping and tumbling on a trampoline

tram·way [-,wā] -n

  1. a railway for trams
  2. a streetcar line
  3. an overhead cable for trams

trance ['tran(t)s] -n, adj

  1. stupor, daze
  2. a sleeplike state (as of deep hypnosis) usu. characterized by partly suspended animation with diminished or absent sensory and motor activity
  3. a state of profound abstraction or absorption
  4. entrance, enrapture

tranche ['träⁿsh] -n

  1. a division or portion of a pool or whole
  2. an issue of bonds derived from a pooling of like obligations (as securitized mortgage debt) that is differentiated from other issues esp. by maturity or rate of return

tran·gam ['traŋ-gəm] -n

  1. trinket, gimcrack

tran·ny ['tra-nē] -n

  1. transmission

tran·quil ['traŋ-kwəl, 'tran-] -adj, adv, n

  1. free from agitation of mind or spirit
    • a tranquil self-assurance
  2. free from disturbance or turmoil
    • a tranquil scene
  3. unvarying in aspect : steady, stable

tran·quil·ize ['traŋ-kwə-,līz, 'tran-] -vb

  1. to make tranquil or calm : pacify
  2. to relieve of mental tension and anxiety by means of drugs
  3. to become tranquil : relax
  4. to make one tranquil

tran·quil·iz·er [-,lī-zər] -n

  1. one that tranquilizes
  2. a drug used to reduce mental disturbance (as anxiety and tension)

tran·quil·li·ty [tran-'kwi-lə-tē, traŋ-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being tranquil
    • the tranquillity of the quiet countryside

trans ['tran(t)s, 'tranz] -adj

  1. characterized by having certain groups of atoms on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of a double bond or of the plane of a ring in a molecule
  2. transaction
  3. transitive
  4. translated; translation; translator
  5. transmission
  6. transportation
  7. transverse

trans- -prefix

  1. on or to the other side of : across : beyond
    • trans atlantic
  2. beyond (a specified chemical element) in the periodic table
    • trans uranium
  3. trans
    • trans- dichloro-ethylene
  4. through
    • trans cutaneous
  5. so or such as to change or transfer
    • trans literate
    • trans location
    • trans amination
    • trans ship

trans·act [tran-'zakt, tran(t)-'sakt] -vb, n

  1. to carry on business
  2. to carry to completion
    • transact a sale
  3. to carry on the operation or management of : do
    • transact business

trans·ac·ti·nide [tran(t)-'sak-tə-,nīd, tran-'zak-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being actual or hypothetical elements with atomic weights higher than those of the actinide series
    • transactinide chemistry

trans·ac·tion [tran-'zak-shən, tran(t)-'sak-] -n, adj

  1. something transacted
  2. an exchange or transfer of goods, services, or funds
    • electronic transaction s
  3. the often published record of the meeting of a society or association
  4. an act, process, or instance of transacting
  5. a communicative action or activity involving two parties or things that reciprocally affect or influence each other

transactional analysis -n

  1. a system of psychotherapy involving analysis of individual episodes of social interaction for insight that will aid communication

trans·al·pine [tran(t)s-'al-,pīn, tranz-] -adj

  1. situated on the north side of the Alps
    • Transalpine Gaul

trans·am·i·nase [tran(t)s-'a-mə-,nās, tranz-, -,nāz] -n

  1. an enzyme promoting transamination called also aminotransferase

trans·am·i·na·tion [,tran(t)s-,a-mə-'nā-shən, ,tranz-] -n

  1. a reversible oxidation-reduction reaction in which an amino group is transferred typically from an alpha-amino acid to the carbonyl carbon atom of an alpha-keto acid

trans·at·lan·tic [,tran(t)s-ət-'lan-tik, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. crossing or extending across the Atlantic Ocean
    • a transatlantic cable
  2. relating to or involving crossing the Atlantic Ocean
    • transatlantic airfares
  3. situated or originating from beyond the Atlantic Ocean
  4. of, relating to, or involving countries on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean and esp. the U.S. and Great Britain
    • transatlantic cooperation

trans·ax·le [tran(t)s-'ak-səl, tranz-] -n

  1. a unit that consists of a combination of a transmission and an axle's differential gear used esp. in front-wheel-drive automobiles

trans·bor·der [-'bȯr-dər] -adj

  1. crossing or extending across a border

trans·ceiv·er [tran(t)-'sē-vər] -n

  1. a radio transmitter-receiver that uses many of the same components for both transmission and reception

tran·scend [tran(t)-'send] -vb

  1. to rise above or go beyond the limits of
  2. to triumph over the negative or restrictive aspects of : overcome
  3. to be prior to, beyond, and above (the universe or material existence)
  4. to outstrip or outdo in some attribute, quality, or power
  5. to rise above or extend notably beyond ordinary limits

tran·scen·dence [-'sen-dən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being transcendent

tran·scen·den·cy [-dən(t)-sē] -n

  1. transcendence

tran·scen·dent [-dənt] -adj, adv

  1. exceeding usual limits : surpassing
  2. extending or lying beyond the limits of ordinary experience
  3. being beyond the limits of all possible experience and knowledge
  4. being beyond comprehension
  5. transcending the universe or material existence
  6. universally applicable or significant
    • the antislavery movement...recognized the transcendent importance of liberty -- L. H. Tribe

tran·scen·den·tal [,tran(t)-,sen-'den-tᵊl, -sən-] -adj, adv

  1. transcendent
  2. supernatural
  3. abstruse, abstract
  4. of or relating to transcendentalism
  5. incapable of being the root of an algebraic equation with rational coefficients
    • is a transcendental number
  6. being, involving, or representing a function (as sin x,log x, e x ) that cannot be expressed by a finite number of algebraic operations
    • transcendental curves
  7. of or relating to experience as determined by the mind's makeup
  8. transcending experience but not human knowledge
  9. transcendent

tran·scen·den·tal·ism [-tə-,li-zəm] -n, adj or n

  1. a philosophy that emphasizes the a priori conditions of knowledge and experience or the unknowable character of ultimate reality or that emphasizes the transcendent as the fundamental reality
  2. a philosophy that asserts the primacy of the spiritual and transcendental over the material and empirical
  3. the quality or state of being transcendental
  4. visionary idealism

Transcendental Meditation -service mark

  1. used for a meditation technique

trans·con·ti·nen·tal [,tran(t)s-,kän-tə-'nen-tᵊl, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. extending or going across a continent
    • a transcontinental railroad

tran·scribe [tran(t)-'skrīb] -vt, n

  1. to make a written copy of
  2. to make a copy of (dictated or recorded matter) in longhand or on a machine (as a typewriter)
  3. to paraphrase or summarize in writing
  4. write down, record
  5. to represent (speech sounds) by means of phonetic symbols
  6. translate
  7. to transfer (data) from one recording form to another
  8. to record (as on magnetic tape) for later broadcast
  9. to make a musical transcription of
  10. to cause (as DNA) to undergo genetic transcription

tran·script ['tran(t)-,skript] -n

  1. a written, printed, or typed copy
  2. a usu. typed copy of dictated or recorded material
  3. an official or legal and often published copy
    • a court reporter's transcript
  4. an official copy of a student's educational record
  5. a representation (as of experience) in an art form
  6. a sequence of RNA produced by transcription from a DNA template

tran·scrip·tase [tran-'skrip-,tās, -,tāz] -n

  1. rna polymerase
  2. reverse transcriptase

tran·scrip·tion [tran(t)-'skrip-shən] -n, adj, adv

  1. an act, process, or instance of transcribing
  2. : copy, transcript: as
  3. an arrangement of a musical composition for some instrument or voice other than the original
  4. a recording (as on magnetic tape) made esp. for use in radio broadcasting
  5. the process of constructing a messenger RNA molecule using a DNA molecule as a template with resulting transfer of genetic information to the messenger RNA

transcription factor -n

  1. any of various proteins that bind to DNA and play a role in the regulation of gene expression by promoting transcription

tran·scrip·tion·ist [-shə-nist] -n

  1. one that transcribes
  2. a typist who transcribes dictated medical reports

trans·cul·tur·al [tran(t)s-'kəl-chə-rəl, tranz-, -'kəlch-rəl] -adj

  1. involving, encompassing, or extending across two or more cultures

trans·cu·ta·ne·ous [,tran(t)s-kyu̇-'tā-nē-əs] -adj

  1. passing, entering, or made by penetration through the skin
    • transcutaneous infection

trans·der·mal [tran(t)s-'dər-məl, tranz-] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, being, or supplying a medication in a form for absorption through the skin into the bloodstream
    • transdermal drug delivery
    • transdermal nitroglycerin
    • transdermal nicotine patch

trans·dis·ci·plin·ary [-'di-sə-plə-,ner-ē] -adj

  1. interdisciplinary

trans·duce [tran(t)s-'düs, tranz-, -'dyüs] -vt

  1. to convert (as energy or a message) into another form
    • essentially sense organs transduce physical energy into a nervous signal
  2. to cause (genetic material) to undergo transduction

trans·duc·er [-'dü-sər, -'dyü-] -n

  1. a device that is actuated by power from one system and supplies power usu. in another form to a second system
    • a loudspeaker is a transducer that transforms electrical signals into sound energy

trans·duc·tion [-'dək-shən] -n, adj

  1. the action or process of transducing
  2. the transfer of genetic material from one microorganism to another by a viral agent (as a bacteriophage)

tran·sect [tran(t)-'sekt] -vt, n

  1. to cut transversely
  2. a sample area (as of vegetation) usu. in the form of a long continuous strip

tran·sept ['tran(t)-,sept] -n, adj

  1. the part of a cruciform church that crosses at right angles to the greatest length between the nave and the apse or choir
  2. either of the projecting ends of a transept

transexual [(,)tran(t)s-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shəl] -n, adj

(variant of transsexual)

  1. a person who strongly identifies with the opposite sex and may seek to live as a member of this sex esp. by undergoing surgery and hormone therapy to obtain the necessary physical appearance (as by changing the external sex organs)

trans fat -n

  1. a fat containing trans-fatty acids

transfat·ty acid ['tran(t)s-'fa-tē-, 'tranz-] -n

  1. an unsaturated fatty acid characterized by a trans arrangement of alkyl chains that is formed esp. during the hydrogenation of vegetable oils and has been linked to an increase in blood cholesterol

trans·fec·tion [tran(t)s-'fek-shən, tranz-] -n, vt

  1. infection of a cell with isolated viral nucleic acid followed by production of the complete virus in the cell
  2. the incorporation of exogenous DNA into a cell

trans·fer [tran(t)s-'fər, 'tran(t)s-,] -vb, n, adj

  1. to convey from one person, place, or situation to another : move, shift
  2. to cause to pass from one to another : transmit
  3. transform, change
  4. to make over the possession or control of : convey
  5. to print or otherwise copy from one surface to another by contact
  6. to move to a different place, region, or situation
  7. to withdraw from one educational institution to enroll at another
  8. to change from one vehicle or transportation line to another
  9. conveyance of right, title, or interest in real or personal property from one person to another
  10. removal or acquisition of property by mere delivery with intent to transfer title
  11. an act, process, or instance of transferring : transference
  12. the carryover or generalization of learned responses from one type of situation to another
  13. one that transfers or is transferred
  14. a graphic image transferred by contact from one surface to another
  15. a place where a transfer is made (as of trains to ferries or as where one form of power is changed to another)
  16. a ticket entitling a passenger on a public conveyance to continue the trip on another route

trans·fer·ase ['tran(t)s-(,)fər-,ās, -,āz] -n

  1. an enzyme that promotes transfer of a group from one molecule to another

trans·fer·ee [,tran(t)s-(,)fər-'ē] -n

  1. a person to whom a conveyance is made
  2. a person who is transferred

trans·fer·ence [tran(t)s-'fər-ən(t)s, 'tran(t)s-(,)] -n, adj

  1. an act, process, or instance of transferring : conveyance, transfer
  2. the redirection of feelings and desires and esp. of those unconsciously retained from childhood toward a new object (as a psychoanalyst conducting therapy)

transfer factor -n

  1. a substance that is produced and secreted by a lymphocyte functioning in cell-mediated immunity and that upon incorporation into a lymphocyte which has not been sensitized confers on it the same immunological specificity as the sensitized cell

trans·fer·or [,tran(t)s-(,)fər-'ȯr] -n

  1. one that conveys a title, right, or property

transfer payment -n

  1. a public expenditure made for a purpose (as unemployment compensation) other than procuring goods or services usu. used in pl.
  2. money (as welfare payments) that is received by individuals and that is neither compensation for goods or services currently supplied nor income from investments

trans·fer·rin [tran(t)s-'fer-ən] -n

  1. a beta globulin in blood plasma capable of combining with ferric ions and transporting iron in the body

transfer RNA ['tran(t)s-,fər-] -n

  1. a relatively small RNA that transfers a particular amino acid to a growing polypeptide chain at the ribosomal site of protein synthesis during translation called also tRNA

transfer station -n

  1. a site where recyclables and refuse are collected and sorted in preparation for processing or landfill

trans·fig·u·ra·tion [(,)tran(t)s-,fi-gyə-'rā-shən, -gə-] -n

  1. a change in form or appearance : metamorphosis
  2. an exalting, glorifying, or spiritual change
  3. a Christian feast that commemorates the transfiguration of Christ on a mountaintop in the presence of three disciples and that is observed on August 6 in the Roman Catholic and some Eastern churches and on the Sunday before Lent in most Protestant churches

trans·fig·ure [tran(t)s-'fi-gyər, esp Brit -'fi-gər] -vt

  1. to give a new and typically exalted or spiritual appearance to : transform outwardly and usu. for the better

trans·fi·nite [(,)tran(t)s-'fī-,nīt] -adj

  1. going beyond or surpassing any finite number, group, or magnitude
  2. being or relating to the cardinal and ordinal numbers of infinite sets

trans·fix [tran(t)s-'fiks] -vt, n

  1. to pierce through with or as if with a pointed weapon : impale
  2. to hold motionless by or as if by piercing
    • he stood transfix ed by her gaze

trans·form [tran(t)s-'fȯrm] -vb, adj

  1. to change in composition or structure
  2. to change the outward form or appearance of
  3. to change in character or condition : convert
  4. to subject to mathematical transformation
  5. to cause (a cell) to undergo genetic transformation
  6. to become transformed : change
  7. a mathematical element obtained from another by transformation
  8. transformation
  9. a linguistic structure (as a sentence) produced by means of a transformation
    • the duckling is killed by the farmer is a transform of the farmer kills the duckling

trans·for·ma·tion [,tran(t)s-fər-'mā-shən, -fȯr-] -n

  1. an act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed
  2. false hair worn esp. by a woman to replace or supplement natural hair
  3. the operation of changing (as by rotation or mapping) one configuration or expression into another in accordance with a mathematical rule
  4. a change of variables or coordinates in which a function of new variables or coordinates is substituted for each original variable or coordinate
  5. the formula that effects a transformation
  6. function
  7. an operation that converts (as by insertion, deletion, or permutation) one grammatical string (as a sentence) into another
  8. a formal statement of such an operation
  9. genetic modification of a bacterium by incorporation of free DNA from another bacterial cell
  10. genetic modification of a cell by the uptake and incorporation of exogenous DNA

trans·for·ma·tion·al [-shnəl, -shə-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, characterized by, or concerned with transformation and esp. linguistic transformation

transformational grammar -n

  1. a grammar that generates the deep structures of a language and converts these to the surface structures by means of transformations

trans·for·ma·tion·al·ist [,tran(t)s-fər-'mā-shnə-list, -shə-nə-list] -n

  1. an exponent of transformational grammar

trans·form·er [tran(t)s-'fȯr-mər] -n

  1. one that transforms
  2. a device employing the principle of mutual induction to convert variations of current in a primary circuit into variations of voltage and current in a secondary circuit

trans·form fault ['tran(t)s-,fȯrm-] -n

  1. a strike-slip fault that occurs typically between segments of a mid-ocean ridge or other tectonic-plate boundary and that is characterized by shallow high-magnitude earthquakes

trans·fuse [tran(t)s-'fyüz] -vt, adj

  1. to cause to pass from one to another : transmit
  2. to diffuse into or through : permeate
    • sunlight transfuse s the bay
  3. to transfer (as blood) into a vein or an artery of a person or animal
  4. to subject (a patient) to transfusion

trans·fu·sion [tran(t)s-'fyü-zhən] -n, adj

  1. an act, process, or instance of transfusing
  2. the process of transfusing fluid (as blood) into a vein or artery
  3. something transfused

trans·gen·der [-'jen-dər] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being a person (as a transsexual or transvestite) who identifies with or expresses a gender identity that differs from the one which corresponds to the person's sex at birth

trans·gene ['tran(t)s-,jēn, 'tranz-] -n

  1. a gene that is taken from the genome of one organism and introduced into the genome of another organism by artificial techniques

trans·gen·ic [tran(t)s-'je-nik] -adj

  1. being or used to produce an organism or cell of one species into which one or more genes of another species have been incorporated
    • a transgenic mouse
    • transgenic crops
  2. produced by or consisting of transgenic plants or animals

transgenic -n

  1. a branch of biotechnology concerned with the production of transgenic plants, animals, and foods
  2. a transgenic plant or animal

trans·gress [tran(t)s-'gres, tranz-] -vb, adj, n

  1. to violate a command or law : sin
  2. to go beyond a boundary or limit
  3. to go beyond limits set or prescribed by : violate
    • transgress divine law
  4. to pass beyond or go over (a limit or boundary)

trans·gres·sion [-'gre-shən] -n

  1. : an act, process, or instance of transgressing: as
  2. infringement or violation of a law, command, or duty
  3. the spread of the sea over land areas and the consequent unconformable deposit of sediments on older rocks

tranship [tran(sh)-'ship, tran(t)s-] -vt, n

(variant of transship)

  1. to transfer for further transportation from one ship or conveyance to another
  2. to change from one ship or conveyance to another

trans·his·tor·i·cal [,tran(t)s-(h)is-'tȯr-i-kəl, ,tranz-, -'tär-] -adj

  1. transcending historical bounds

trans·hu·mance [tran(t)s-'hyü-mən(t)s, tranz-, -'yü-] -n, adj or n

  1. seasonal movement of livestock (as sheep) between mountain and lowland pastures either under the care of herders or in company with the owners

tran·sience ['tran(t)-sh(ē-)ən(t)s; 'tran-zē-ən(t)s, 'tran(t)-sē-; 'tran-zhən(t)s, -jən(t)s] -n

  1. the quality or state of being transient

tran·sien·cy [-sh(ē-)ən(t)-sē, -zē-ən(t)-, -sē-ən(t)-; -zhən(t)-sē, -jən(t)-] -n

  1. transience

tran·sient [-sh(ē-)ənt, -zē-ənt, -sē-; -zhənt, -jənt] -adj, adv

  1. passing esp. quickly into and out of existence : transitory
    • transient beauty
  2. passing through or by a place with only a brief stay or sojourn
    • transient visitors
  3. affecting something or producing results beyond itself

transient -n

  1. : one that is transient: as
  2. a transient guest
  3. a person traveling about usu. in search of work
  4. a temporary oscillation that occurs in a circuit because of a sudden change of voltage or of load
  5. a transient current or voltage

transient ischemic attack -n

  1. a brief episode of cerebral ischemia that is usu. characterized by temporary blurring of vision, slurring of speech, numbness, paralysis, or syncope and is often predictive of a serious stroke abbr. TIA called also ministroke

trans·il·lu·mi·nate [,tran(t)s-ə-'lü-mə-,nāt, ,tranz-] -vt, n

  1. to cause light to pass through
  2. to pass light through (a body part) for medical examination

tran·sis·tor [tran-'zis-tər, tran(t)-'sis-] -n

  1. a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and usu. consists of a small block of a semiconductor (as germanium) with at least three electrodes
  2. a transistorized radio

tran·sis·tor·ized [tran-'zis-tə-,rīzd, tran(t)-'sis-] -adj

  1. equipped with transistors
    • a transistorized amplifier

tran·sit ['tran(t)-sət, 'tran-zət] -n

  1. an act, process, or instance of passing through or over
  2. change, transition
  3. conveyance of persons or things from one place to another
  4. usu. local transportation esp. of people by public conveyance
  5. vehicles or a system engaged in such transportation
  6. passage of a celestial body over the meridian of a place or through the field of a telescope
  7. passage of a smaller body (as Venus) across the disk of a larger (as the sun)
  8. a theodolite with the telescope mounted so that it can be transited

transit -vi

  1. to make a transit
  2. to pass over or through
  3. to cause to pass over or through
  4. to pass across (a meridian, a celestial body, or the field of view of a telescope)
  5. to turn (a telescope) over about the horizontal transverse axis in surveying

tran·si·tion [tran(t)-'si-shən, tran-'zi-, chiefly Brit tran(t)-'si-zhən] -n, adj, adv

  1. passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another : change
  2. a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another
  3. a musical modulation
  4. a musical passage leading from one section of a piece to another
  5. an abrupt change in energy state or level (as of an atomic nucleus or a molecule) usu. accompanied by loss or gain of a single quantum of energy

transition -vi

  1. to make a transition
    • transition into college

transition metal -n

  1. any of various metallic elements (as chromium, iron, and nickel) that have valence electrons in two shells instead of only one called also transition element

tran·si·tive ['tran(t)-sə-tiv, 'tran-zə-; 'tran(t)s-tiv] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by having or containing a direct object
    • a transitive verb
  2. being or relating to a relation with the property that if the relation holds between a first element and a second and between the second element and a third, it holds between the first and third elements
    • equality is a transitive relation
  3. of, relating to, or characterized by transition

tran·si·to·ry ['tran(t)-sə-,tȯr-ē, 'tran-zə-] -adj, adv, n

  1. tending to pass away : not persistent
  2. of brief duration : temporary
    • the transitory nature of earthly joy

transl -abbr

  1. translated; translation; translator

trans·late [tran(t)s-'lāt, tranz-; 'tran(t)s-,lāt, 'tranz-] -vb, n, adj

  1. to bear, remove, or change from one place, state, form, or appearance to another : transfer, transform
    • translate ideas into action
  2. to convey to heaven or to a nontemporal condition without death
  3. to transfer (a bishop) from one see to another
  4. to turn into one's own or another language
  5. to transfer or turn from one set of symbols into another : transcribe
  6. to express in different terms and esp. different words : paraphrase
  7. to express in more comprehensible terms : explain, interpret
  8. enrapture
  9. to subject to mathematical translation
  10. to subject (as genetic information) to translation in protein synthesis
  11. to practice translation or make a translation
  12. to admit of or be adaptable to translation
    • a word that doesn't translate easily
  13. to undergo a translation
  14. lead, result usu. used with into
    • believes that tax cuts will translate into economic growth

trans·la·tion [tran(t)s-'lā-shən, tranz-] -n, adj

  1. : an act, process, or instance of translating: as
  2. a rendering from one language into another
  3. the product of such a rendering
  4. a change to a different substance, form, or appearance : conversion
  5. a transformation of coordinates in which the new axes are parallel to the old ones
  6. uniform motion of a body in a straight line
  7. the process of forming a protein molecule at a ribosomal site of protein synthesis from information contained in messenger RNA

translational research -n

  1. medical research that is concerned with facilitating the practical application of scientific discoveries to the development and implementation of new ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat disease called also translational medicine

trans·la·tive [-'lā-tiv] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving removal or transference from one person or place to another
  2. of, relating to, or serving in translation from one language or system into another

trans·la·to·ry ['tran(t)s-lə-,tȯr-ē, 'tranz-; tran(t)s-'lā-tə-rē, tranz-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving uniform motion in one direction

trans·lit·er·ate [tran(t)s-'li-tə-,rāt, tranz-] -vt, n

  1. to represent or spell in the characters of another alphabet

trans·lo·ca·tion [,tran(t)s-lō-'kā-shən, ,tranz-] -n, vb

  1. : the act, process, or an instance of changing location or position: as
  2. the conduction of soluble material (as metabolic products) from one part of a plant to another
  3. transfer of part of a chromosome to a different position esp. on a nonhomologous chromosome
  4. the exchange of parts between nonhomologous chromosomes

trans·lu·cence [tran(t)s-'lü-sᵊn(t)s, tranz-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being translucent

trans·lu·cen·cy [-sᵊn(t)-sē] -n

  1. translucence
  2. something that is translucent

trans·lu·cent [-sᵊnt] -adj, adv

  1. : permitting the passage of light:
  2. clear, transparent
    • translucent water
  3. transmitting and diffusing light so that objects beyond cannot be seen clearly
  4. free from disguise or falseness
    • his translucent patriotism -- Newsweek

trans·ma·rine [,tran(t)s-mə-'rēn, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. being or coming from beyond or across the sea
  2. passing over or extending across the sea

trans·mem·brane [(,)tran(t)s-'mem-,brān, (,)tranz-] -adj

  1. taking place or existing across a membrane
    • a transmembrane protein

trans·mi·grate [(,)tran(t)s-'mī-,grāt, (,)tranz-, 'tran(t)s-,, 'tranz-,] -vb, n, adj

  1. to cause to go from one state of existence or place to another
  2. to pass at death from one body or being to another
  3. migrate

trans·mis·si·ble [tran(t)s-'mi-sə-bəl, tranz-] -adj, n

  1. capable of being transmitted
    • transmissible diseases

transmissible spongiform encephalopathy -n

  1. prion disease abbr. TSE

trans·mis·sion [tran(t)s-'mi-shən, tranz-] -n, adj

  1. an act, process, or instance of transmitting
    • transmission of a nerve impulse across a synapse
  2. the passage of radio waves in the space between transmitting and receiving stations
  3. the act or process of transmitting by radio or television
  4. an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a live axle
  5. the speed-changing gears in such an assembly
  6. something that is transmitted : message

trans·mis·som·e·ter [,tran(t)s-(,)mi-'sä-mə-tər, ,tranz-] -n

  1. an instrument for measuring the transmission of light through a fluid (as the atmosphere)

trans·mit [tran(t)s-'mit, tranz-] -vb, adj, n

  1. to send or convey from one person or place to another : forward
  2. : to cause or allow to spread: as
  3. to convey by or as if by inheritance or heredity : hand down
  4. to convey (infection) abroad or to another
  5. to cause (as light or force) to pass or be conveyed through space or a medium
  6. to admit the passage of : conduct
    • glass transmit s light
  7. to send out (a signal) either by radio waves or over a wire
  8. to send out a signal either by radio waves or over a wire

trans·mit·tance [-'mi-tᵊn(t)s] -n

  1. transmission
  2. the fraction of radiant energy that having entered a layer of absorbing matter reaches its farther boundary

trans·mit·ter [tran(t)s-'mi-tər, tranz-; 'tran(t)s-,, 'tranz-] -n

  1. : one that transmits: as
  2. an apparatus for transmitting radio or television signals
  3. neurotransmitter

trans·mog·ri·fy [tran(t)s-'mä-grə-,fī, tranz-] -vb, n

  1. to change or alter greatly and often with grotesque or humorous effect
  2. to become transmogrified

trans·mon·tane [(,)tran(t)s-'män-,tān, (,)tranz-; ,tran(t)s-(,)män-', ,tranz-] -adj

  1. tramontane

trans·moun·tain [,tran(t)s-'mau̇n-tᵊn, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. crossing or extending over or through a mountain
    • a transmountain road
    • a transmountain tunnel

trans·mu·ta·tion [,tran(t)s-myu̇-'tā-shən, ,tranz-] -n, adj

  1. : an act or instance of transmuting or being transmuted: as
  2. the conversion of base metals into gold or silver
  3. the conversion of one element or nuclide into another either naturally or artificially

trans·mute [tran(t)s-'myüt, tranz-] -vb, adj

  1. to change or alter in form, appearance, or nature and esp. to a higher form
  2. to subject (as an element) to transmutation
  3. to undergo transmutation

trans·na·tion·al [(,)tran(t)s-'nash-nəl, (,)tranz-, -'na-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n

  1. extending or going beyond national boundaries
    • transnational corporations

trans·nat·u·ral [-'na-chə-rəl, -'nach-rəl] -adj

  1. being above or beyond nature

trans·oce·an·ic [,tran(t)s-,ō-shē-'a-nik, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. lying or dwelling beyond the ocean
  2. crossing or extending across the ocean
    • a transoceanic telephone cable

tran·som ['tran(t)-səm] -n

  1. : a transverse piece in a structure : crosspiece: as
  2. lintel
  3. a horizontal crossbar in a window, over a door, or between a door and a window or fanlight above it
  4. the horizontal bar or member of a cross or gallows
  5. any of several transverse timbers or beams secured to the sternpost of a boat
  6. the planking forming the stern of a square-ended boat
  7. a window above a door or other window built on and commonly hinged to a transom

tran·son·ic [tran(t)s-'sä-nik, tran-'sä-] -adj

  1. being or relating to speeds near that of sound in air or about 741 miles (1185 kilometers) per hour at sea level and esp. to speeds slightly below the speed of sound at which the speed of airflow varies from subsonic to supersonic at different points along the surface of a body in motion relative to the surrounding air
  2. moving, capable of moving, or utilizing air currents moving at a transonic speed

transp -abbr

  1. transportation

trans·pa·cif·ic [,tran(t)s-pə-'si-fik] -adj

  1. crossing or extending across the Pacific Ocean
    • transpacific airlines
  2. relating to or involving crossing the Pacific Ocean
    • transpacific airfares
  3. situated or occurring beyond the Pacific Ocean
  4. of, relating to, or involving countries on both sides of the Pacific Ocean
    • the transpacific economy

trans·par·ence [tran(t)s-'per-ən(t)s] -n

  1. transparency

trans·par·en·cy [tran(t)s-'per-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. something transparent
  2. a picture (as on film) viewed by light shining through it or by projection
  3. the quality or state of being transparent

trans·par·ent [tran(t)s-'per-ənt] -adj, adv, n

  1. having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly : pellucid
  2. allowing the passage of a specified form of radiation (as X-rays or ultraviolet light)
  3. fine or sheer enough to be seen through : diaphanous
  4. free from pretense or deceit : frank
  5. easily detected or seen through : obvious
  6. readily understood
  7. characterized by visibility or accessibility of information esp. concerning business practices

trans·par·ent·ize [-ən-,tīz] -vt

  1. to make transparent or more nearly transparent
    • transparentize tracing paper

trans·per·son·al [(,)tran(t)s-'pərs-nəl, -'pər-sə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. extending or going beyond the personal or individual
  2. of, relating to, or being psychology or psychotherapy concerned esp. with esoteric mental experience (as mysticism and altered states of consciousness) beyond the usual limits of ego and personality

tran·spic·u·ous [tran(t)s-'pi-kyə-wəs] -adj

  1. clearly seen through or understood

trans·pierce [tran(t)s-'pirs] -vt

  1. to pierce through : penetrate

tran·spi·ra·tion [,tran(t)s-pə-'rā-shən] -n, adj

  1. the act or process or an instance of transpiring
  2. the passage of watery vapor from a living body (as of a plant) through a membrane or pores

tran·spire [tran(t)-'spī(-ə)r] -vb

  1. to pass off or give passage to (a fluid) through pores or interstices
  2. to excrete (as water) in the form of a vapor through a living membrane (as the skin)
  3. to give off vaporous material
  4. to give off or exude watery vapor esp. from the surfaces of leaves
  5. to pass in the form of a vapor from a living body
  6. to be revealed : come to light
  7. to become known or apparent : develop
  8. to take place : go on, occur

trans·pla·cen·tal [,tran(t)s-plə-'sen-tᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. passing through or occurring by way of the placenta
    • transplacental immunization

trans·plant [,tran(t)s-'plant] -vb, n, adj

  1. to lift and reset (a plant) in another soil or situation
  2. to remove from one place or context and settle or introduce elsewhere : relocate
  3. to transfer (an organ or tissue) from one part or individual to another
  4. to tolerate being transplanted
    • does not transplant as well as other varieties
  5. a person or thing that is transplanted
  6. a manufacturing plant set up locally by a foreign automobile company to save on shipping costs
    • bumpers shipped to a Japanese transplant in the U.S.
  7. the act or process of transplanting

trans·po·lar [(,)tran(t)s-'pō-lər] -adj

  1. crossing or extending across either of the polar regions

tran·spon·der [tran(t)-'spän-dər] -n

  1. a radio or radar set that upon receiving a designated signal emits a radio signal of its own and that is used esp. for the detection, identification, and location of objects and in satellites for relaying communications signals

trans·pon·tine [tran(t)s-'pän-,tīn] -adj

  1. situated on the farther side of a bridge
  2. situated on the south side of the Thames

trans·port [tran(t)s-'pȯrt, 'tran(t)s-,] -vt, n, adj

  1. to transfer or convey from one place to another
    • transport ing ions across a living membrane
  2. to carry away with strong and often intensely pleasant emotion
  3. to send to a penal colony overseas
  4. an act or process of transporting : transportation
  5. strong or intensely pleasurable emotion
    • transport s of joy
  6. a ship for carrying soldiers or military equipment
  7. a vehicle (as a truck or airplane) used to transport persons or goods
  8. transportation
  9. a transported convict

trans·por·ta·tion [,tran(t)s-pər-'tā-shən] -n, adj

  1. an act, process, or instance of transporting or being transported
  2. banishment to a penal colony
  3. means of conveyance or travel from one place to another
  4. public conveyance of passengers or goods esp. as a commercial enterprise

transport cafe [-ka-'fā, -'kaf] -n

  1. a roadside restaurant frequented chiefly by truck drivers

trans·port·er [tran(t)s-'pȯr-tər, 'tran(t)s-,] -n

  1. one that transports
  2. a vehicle for transporting large or heavy loads

transposable element -n

  1. a segment of genetic material that is capable of changing its location in the genome or in some bacteria of undergoing transfer between an extrachromosomal plasmid and a chromosome

trans·pose [tran(t)s-'pōz] -vt, adj

  1. to change in form or nature : transform
  2. to render into another language, style, or manner of expression : translate
  3. to transfer from one place or period to another : shift
  4. to change the relative place or normal order of : alter the sequence of
    • transpose letters to change the spelling
  5. to write or perform (a musical composition) in a different key
  6. to bring (a term) from one side of an algebraic equation to the other with change of sign
  7. a matrix formed from another matrix by interchanging the rows and columns

trans·po·si·tion [,tran(t)s-pə-'zi-shən] -n, adj

  1. an act, process, or instance of transposing or being transposed
  2. the transfer of a segment of DNA from one site to another in the genome
  3. the transfer of any term of an equation from one side over to the other side with a corresponding change of the sign
  4. a mathematical permutation or interchange of two letters or symbols

transposition cipher -n

  1. a cipher in which the letters of the plaintext are systematically rearranged into another sequence

trans·po·son [tran(t)s-'pō-zän] -n

  1. a transposable element esp. when it contains genetic material controlling functions other than those related to its relocation

trans·ra·cial [(,)tran(t)s-'rā-shəl, (,)tranz-] -adj

  1. involving, encompassing, or extending across two or more races
    • transracial adoption

trans·sex·u·al [(,)tran(t)s-'sek-sh(ə-)wəl, -shəl] -n, adj

  1. a person who strongly identifies with the opposite sex and may seek to live as a member of this sex esp. by undergoing surgery and hormone therapy to obtain the necessary physical appearance (as by changing the external sex organs)

trans·shape [tran(sh)-'shāp, tran(t)s-] -vt

  1. to change into another shape : transform

trans·ship [tran(sh)-'ship, tran(t)s-] -vt, n

  1. to transfer for further transportation from one ship or conveyance to another
  2. to change from one ship or conveyance to another

trans·tho·rac·ic [,tran(t)s-thə-'ra-sik] -adj, adv

  1. done or made by way of the thoracic cavity

tran·sub·stan·tial [,tran(t)-səb-'stan(t)-shəl] -adj

  1. changed or capable of being changed from one substance to another

tran·sub·stan·ti·ate [,tran(t)-səb-'stan(t)-shē-,āt] -vb

  1. to effect transubstantiation in (sacramental bread and wine)
  2. to change into another substance : transmute
  3. to undergo transubstantiation

tran·sub·stan·ti·a·tion [-,stan(t)-shē-'ā-shən] -n

  1. an act or instance of transubstantiating or being transubstantiated
  2. the miraculous change by which according to Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox dogma the eucharistic elements at their consecration become the body and blood of Christ while keeping only the appearances of bread and wine

tran·su·date ['tran(t)-sü-,dāt, -syü-; 'tran-zü-, -zyü-] -n

  1. a transuded substance

tran·su·da·tion [,tran(t)-sü-'dā-shən, -syü-; ,tran-zü-, -zyü-] -n

  1. the act or process of transuding or being transuded
  2. transudate

tran·sude [tran(t)-'süd, -'syüd; tran-'züd, -'zyüd] -vb

  1. to pass through a membrane or permeable substance : exude
  2. to permit passage of

trans·ura·nic [,tran(t)-syu̇-'ra-nik, -shə-, -'rā-; ,tran-zyu̇-, -zhə-] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being an element with an atomic number greater than that of uranium

transuranic -n

  1. a transuranic element

trans·ure·thral [,tran(t)s-yu̇-'rē-thrəl, ,tranz-] -adj

  1. passing through or performed by way of the urethra
    • transurethral prostatectomy

trans·val·u·ate [(,)tran(t)s-'val-yə-,wāt, (,)tranz-] -vt

  1. transvalue

trans·val·u·a·tion [,tran(t)s-,val-yə-'wā-shən, ,tranz-] -n

  1. the act or process of transvaluing

trans·val·ue [(,)tran(t)s-'val-(,)yü, (,)tranz-] -vt

  1. to reevaluate esp. on a basis that repudiates accepted standards

trans·ver·sal [tran(t)s-'vər-səl, tranz-] -n

  1. a line that intersects a system of lines

trans·verse [tran(t)s-'vərs, tranz-, 'tran(t)s-,, 'tranz-,] -adj, adv

  1. acting, lying, or being across : set crosswise
  2. made at right angles to the long axis of the body
    • a transverse section
  3. something (as a piece, section, or part) that is transverse

transverse colon -n

  1. the middle portion of the colon that extends across the abdominal cavity

transverse process -n

  1. a lateral process of a vertebra

transverse wave -n

  1. a wave in which the vibrating element moves in a direction perpendicular to the direction of advance of the wave

trans·ves·tite [tran(t)s-'ves-,tīt, tranz-] -n, adj

  1. a person and esp. a male who adopts the dress and often the behavior typical of the opposite sex esp. for purposes of emotional or sexual gratification

trap ['trap] -n

  1. a device for taking game or other animals
  2. one that holds by springing shut suddenly
  3. something by which one is caught or stopped unawares
  4. a position or situation from which it is difficult or impossible to escape
  5. a football play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then is blocked from the side while the ballcarrier advances through the spot vacated by the defensive player
  6. the act or an instance of trapping the ball in soccer
  7. a defensive maneuver in basketball in which two defenders converge quickly on the ball handler to steal the ball or force a bad pass
  8. a device for hurling clay pigeons into the air
  9. sand trap
  10. a piece of leather or section of interwoven leather straps between the thumb and index finger of a baseball glove that forms an extension of the pocket
  11. mouth
  12. a light usu. one-horse carriage with springs
  13. any of various devices for preventing passage of something often while allowing other matter to proceed
  14. a device for drains or sewers consisting of a bend or partitioned chamber in which the liquid forms a seal to prevent the passage of sewer gas
  15. a group of percussion instruments (as a bass drum, snare drums, and cymbals) used esp. in a dance or jazz band
  16. an arrangement of rock strata that favors the accumulation of oil and gas
  17. a measured stretch of a course over which electronic timing devices measure the speed of a vehicle (as a racing car or dragster)
  18. to catch or take in or as if in a trap : entrap
  19. to place in a restricted position : confine
    • trapped in the burning wreck
  20. to provide or set (a place) with traps
  21. stop, hold
    • these mountains trap rains and fogs generated over the ocean -- Amer. Guide Series: Calif.
  22. to separate out (as water from steam)
  23. to catch (as a baseball) immediately after a bounce
  24. to block out (a defensive football player) by means of a trap
  25. to stop and gain control of (a soccer ball) with a part of the body other than the hands or arms
  26. to engage in trapping animals (as for furs)
  27. to make a defensive trap in basketball
  28. to adorn with or as if with trappings
  29. traprock

trap·door ['trap-'dȯr] -n

  1. a lifting or sliding door covering an opening (as in a roof, ceiling, or floor)

trapdoor spider -n

  1. any of various often large burrowing spiders (esp. family Ctenizidae) that construct a tubular subterranean silk-lined nest topped with a hinged lid

tra·peze [tra-'pēz also trə-] -n

  1. a gymnastic or acrobatic apparatus consisting of a short horizontal bar suspended by two parallel ropes

tra·pez·ist [-'pē-zist] -n

  1. a performer on the trapeze called also trapeze artist

tra·pe·zi·um [trə-'pē-zē-əm, tra-] -n

  1. a quadrilateral with no parallel sides
  2. trapezoid
  3. a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the thumb

tra·pe·zi·us [-zē-əs] -n

  1. a large flat triangular superficial muscle of each side of the upper back

tra·pe·zo·he·dron [trə-,pē-zō-'hē-drən, ,tra-pə-] -n

  1. a crystalline form whose faces are trapeziums

trap·e·zoid ['tra-pə-,zȯid] -n, adj

  1. trapezium
  2. a quadrilateral having only two sides parallel
  3. a bone in the wrist at the base of the metacarpal of the index finger

trap·line ['trap-,līn] -n

  1. a line or series of traps
  2. the route along which such a line of traps is set

trapping -n

  1. caparison usu. used in pl.
  2. outward decoration or dress : ornamental equipment
  3. outward signs
    • conventional men with all the trapping s ...of banality -- Robert Plank

Trap·pist ['tra-pist] -n, adj

  1. a member of a reformed branch of the Roman Catholic Cistercian Order established by the Abbot de Rance in 1664 at the monastery of La Trappe in Normandy

trap·rock ['trap-'räk] -n

  1. any of various dark-colored fine-grained igneous rocks (as basalt) used esp. in road making

traps ['traps] -n pl

  1. personal belongings : luggage

trap·shoot·er ['trap-,shü-tər] -n

  1. a person who engages in trapshooting

trap·shoot·ing [-,shü-tiŋ] -n

  1. shooting at clay pigeons sprung from a trap into the air away from the shooter

tra·pun·to [trə-'pün-(,)tō, -'pu̇n-] -n

  1. a decorative quilted design in high relief worked through at least two layers of cloth by outlining the design in running stitch and padding it from the underside

trash ['trash] -n

  1. : something worth little or nothing: as
  2. junk, rubbish
  3. empty talk : nonsense
  4. inferior or worthless writing or artistic matter (as a television show)
  5. such matter intended purely for sensational entertainment
  6. trash talk
  7. something in a crumbled or broken condition or mass
  8. debris from pruning or processing plant material
  9. a worthless person
  10. such persons as a group : riffraff
  11. throw away
    • standards of reality and truth were trash ed -- Edwin Diamond
  12. vandalize, destroy
  13. attack, assault
  14. spoil, ruin
    • trash ing the environment
  15. to subject to criticism or invective
  16. to disparage strongly
    • a film trash ed by the critics
  17. to trash something or someone

trash fish -n

  1. rough fish
  2. a usu. marine fish having little or no market value as human food but used sometimes in the production of fish meal

trash·man ['trash-,man, -mən] -n

  1. a worker who collects and hauls away trash

trash talk ['trash-,tȯk] -n, vb

  1. disparaging, taunting, or boastful comments esp. between opponents trying to intimidate each other

trashy ['tra-shē] -adj, adv, n

  1. being, resembling, or containing trash : of inferior quality
  2. indecent

trat·to·ria [,trä-tə-'rē-ə] -n

  1. restaurant
  2. a usu. small Italian restaurant

trau·ma ['trau̇-mə, 'trȯ-] -n, adj, adv

  1. an injury (as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent
  2. a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury
  3. an emotional upset
    • the personal trauma of an executive who is not living up to his own expectations -- Karen W. Arenson
  4. an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma

trauma center -n

  1. a hospital unit specializing in the treatment of patients with acute and esp. life-threatening traumatic injuries

trau·ma·tise [-,tīz] -vt, n

(variant of traumatize)

  1. to inflict a trauma upon

trau·ma·tism ['trau̇-mə-,ti-zəm, 'trȯ-] -n

  1. the development or occurrence of trauma
  2. trauma

trau·ma·tize [-,tīz] -vt, n

  1. to inflict a trauma upon

trav -abbr

  1. travel

tra·vail [trə-'vāl, 'tra-,vāl] -n

  1. work esp. of a painful or laborious nature : toil
  2. a physical or mental exertion or piece of work : task, effort
  3. agony, torment
  4. labor, parturition

travail [same as ¹; in prayer-book communion service usu 'tra-,vāl] -vi

  1. to labor hard : toil
  2. labor

trav·el ['tra-vəl] -vb

  1. to go on or as if on a trip or tour : journey
  2. to go as if by traveling : pass
    • the news travel ed fast
  3. associate
    • travel s with a sophisticated crowd
  4. to go from place to place as a sales representative or business agent
  5. to move or undergo transmission from one place to another
    • goods travel ing by plane
  6. to withstand relocation successfully
    • a dish that travel s well
  7. to move in a given direction or path or through a given distance
    • the stylus travel s in a groove
  8. to move rapidly
    • a car that can really travel
  9. to take more steps while holding a basketball than the rules allow
  10. to journey through or over
  11. to follow (a course or path) as if by traveling
  12. to traverse (a specified distance)
  13. to cover (an area) as a commercial traveler

travel -n

  1. the act of traveling : passage
  2. a journey esp. to a distant or unfamiliar place : tour, trip often used in pl.
  3. an account of one's travels
  4. the number traveling : traffic
  5. movement, progression
    • the travel of satellites around the earth
  6. the motion of a piece of machinery
  7. reciprocating motion

travel agency -n

  1. an agency engaged in selling and arranging transportation, accommodations, tours, and trips for travelers called also travel bureau

travel agent -n

  1. a person engaged in selling and arranging transportation, accommodations, tours, or trips for travelers

traveled -adj

  1. experienced in travel
    • a widely traveled journalist
  2. used by travelers
    • a well- traveled road

trav·el·er ['tra-və-lər, 'trav-lər] -n

  1. : one that travels: as
  2. one that goes on a trip or journey
  3. traveling salesman
  4. an iron ring sliding along a rope, bar, or rod of a ship
  5. a rod on the deck on which such a ring slides
  6. any of various devices for handling something that is being transported laterally

traveler's check -n

  1. a draft purchased from a bank or express company and signed by the purchaser at the time of purchase and again at the time of cashing as a precaution against forgery

traveler's diarrhea -n

  1. intestinal sickness and diarrhea affecting a traveler that is typically caused by ingestion of pathogenic microorganisms (as some E. coli)

traveling -adj

  1. that travels
    • a traveling opera company
    • a traveling executive
  2. carried, used by, or accompanying a traveler
    • a traveling alarm clock
    • a traveling companion

traveling bag -n

  1. suitcase

traveling case -n

  1. a usu. rigid and box-shaped suitcase

traveling fellowship -n

  1. a fellowship whose terms permit or direct the holder to travel or go abroad for study or research

traveling salesman -n

  1. a traveling representative of a business concern who solicits orders usu. in an assigned territory

trav·el·ogue ['tra-və-,lȯg, -,läg] -n

  1. a talk or lecture on travel usu. accompanied by a film or slides
  2. a narrated motion picture about travel
  3. a piece of writing about travel

travel trailer -n

  1. a trailer drawn esp. by an automobile and equipped for use (as while traveling) as a dwelling

tra·vers·al [trə-'vər-səl also tra-' or 'tra-,] -n

  1. the act or an instance of traversing

tra·verse ['tra-vərs also -,vərs, esp for 6 & 8 also trə-' or tra-'] -n

  1. something that crosses or lies across
  2. obstacle, adversity
  3. a formal denial of a matter of fact alleged by the opposing party in a legal pleading
  4. a compartment or recess formed by a partition, curtain, or screen
  5. a gallery or loft providing access from one side to another in a large building
  6. : a route or way across or over: as
  7. a zigzag course of a sailing ship with contrary winds
  8. a curving or zigzag way up a steep grade
  9. the course followed in traversing
  10. the act or an instance of traversing : crossing
  11. a protective projecting wall or bank of earth in a trench
  12. a lateral movement (as of the saddle of a lathe carriage)
  13. a device for imparting such movement
  14. the lateral movement of a gun about a pivot or on a carriage to change direction of fire
  15. a line surveyed across a plot of ground
  16. to go against or act in opposition to : oppose, thwart
  17. to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) formally at law
  18. to go or travel across or over
  19. to move or pass along or through
    • light rays traversing a crystal
  20. to make a study of : examine
  21. to lie or extend across : cross
    • the bridge traverse s a brook
  22. to move to and fro over or along
  23. to ascend, descend, or cross (a slope or gap) at an angle
  24. to move (a gun) to right or left on a pivot
  25. to make or carry out a survey of by using traverses
  26. to move back and forth or from side to side
  27. to move or turn laterally : swivel
  28. to climb at an angle or in a zigzag course
  29. to ski across rather than straight down a hill
  30. to make a survey by using traverses
  31. lying across : transverse

tra·verse jury ['tra-vərs-] -n

  1. petit jury

traverse rod -n

  1. a metal rod or track with a pulley mechanism for drawing curtains

trav·er·tine ['tra-vər-,tēn, -tən] -n

  1. a mineral consisting of a massive usu. layered calcium carbonate (as aragonite or calcite) formed by deposition from spring waters or esp. from hot springs

trav·es·ty ['tra-və-stē] -vt

  1. to make a travesty of : parody

travesty -n

  1. a burlesque translation or literary or artistic imitation usu. grotesquely incongruous in style, treatment, or subject matter
  2. a debased, distorted, or grossly inferior imitation
    • a travesty of justice

tra·vois [trə-'vȯi, 'tra-,vȯi] -n

  1. a simple vehicle used by Plains Indians consisting of two trailing poles serving as shafts and bearing a platform or net for the load

trawl ['trȯl] -vb

  1. to fish with a trawl
  2. to make a search as if by trawling
  3. troll
  4. to catch (fish) with a trawl
  5. a large conical net dragged along the sea bottom in gathering fish or other marine life
  6. setline

trawl·er ['trȯ-lər] -n

  1. a boat used in trawling
  2. a person who fishes by trawling

trawl·er·man [-mən] -n

  1. trawler
  2. one who mans a trawler

tray ['trā] -n

  1. an open receptacle with a flat bottom and a low rim for holding, carrying, or exhibiting articles

traz·o·done ['tra-zə-,dōn] -n

  1. an antidepressant drug C 19H 22ClN 5O administered in the form of its hydrochloride

treach·er·ous ['tre-chə-rəs, 'trech-rəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by or manifesting treachery : perfidious
  2. likely to betray trust : unreliable
    • a treacherous memory
  3. providing insecure footing or support
    • treacherous quicksand
  4. marked by hidden dangers, hazards, or perils

treach·ery [-rē] -n

  1. violation of allegiance or of faith and confidence : treason
  2. an act of perfidy or treason

trea·cle ['trē-kəl] -n

  1. a medicinal compound formerly in wide use as a remedy against poison
  2. molasses
  3. a blend of molasses, invert sugar, and corn syrup used as syrup called also golden syrup
  4. something (as a tone of voice) heavily sweet and cloying

trea·cly [-k(ə-)lē] -adj

  1. resembling treacle (as in quality or appearance)
    • treacly sentimentality

tread ['tred] -vb, n

  1. to step or walk on or over
  2. to walk or proceed along : follow
    • tread ing a fine line between tradition and innovation
  3. to beat or press with the feet : trample
  4. to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush
  5. to copulate with used of a male bird
  6. to form by treading : beat
    • tread a path
  7. to execute by stepping or dancing
    • tread a measure
  8. to move or proceed on or as if on foot
    • must tread lightly
  9. to set foot
    • has gone where others fear to tread
  10. to put one's foot : step
    • carelessly tread ing on the flowers
  11. copulate
  12. a mark (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading
  13. the action of treading
  14. an act or instance of treading : step
  15. manner of stepping
  16. the sound of treading
  17. the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground
  18. the pattern on the bottom of a sole
  19. the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail
  20. the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire
  21. the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
  22. the upper horizontal part of a step
  23. the width of such a tread

trea·dle ['tre-dᵊl] -n

  1. a swiveling or lever device pressed by the foot to drive a machine

treadle ['tred-liŋ, 'tre-dᵊl-iŋ] -vb

  1. to operate a treadle
  2. to operate (as a machine) by a treadle

tread·mill ['tred-,mil] -n

  1. a mill worked by persons treading on steps on the periphery of a wide wheel having a horizontal axis and used formerly in prison punishment
  2. a mill worked by an animal treading an endless belt
  3. a device having an endless belt on which an individual walks or runs in place for exercise or physiological testing
  4. a wearisome or monotonous routine resembling continued activity on a treadmill
    • the office treadmill

treas -abbr

  1. treasury

trea·son ['trē-zᵊn] -n

  1. the betrayal of a trust : treachery
  2. the offense of attempting by overt acts to overthrow the government of the state to which the offender owes allegiance or to kill or personally injure the sovereign or the sovereign's family

trea·son·able ['trēz-nə-bəl, 'trē-zə-nə-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. relating to, consisting of, or involving treason
    • treasonable words

trea·son·ous ['trēz-nəs, 'trē-zə-nəs] -adj

  1. treasonable

trea·sur·able ['tre-zhə-rə-bəl, 'trā-; 'trezh-rə-, 'trāzh-rə-] -adj

  1. worthy of being treasured : precious

trea·sure ['tre-zhər, 'trā-] -n

  1. wealth (as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded
    • buried treasure
  2. wealth of any kind or in any form : riches
  3. a store of money in reserve
  4. something of great worth or value
  5. a person esteemed as rare or precious
  6. a collection of precious things

treasure [-zh(ə-)riŋ] -vt

  1. to collect and store up (something of value) for future use : hoard
  2. to hold or keep as precious : cherish, prize
    • she treasured those memories

trea·surehouse ['tre-zhər-,hau̇s, 'trā-] -n

  1. a building where treasure is kept : treasury
  2. a place or source (as a collection) where many things of value can be found

trea·sur·er ['tre-zhə-rər, 'trā-; 'trezh-rər, 'trāzh-] -n

  1. a guardian of a collection of treasures : curator
  2. : an officer entrusted with the receipt, care, and disbursement of funds: as
  3. a governmental officer charged with receiving, keeping, and disbursing public revenues
  4. the executive financial officer of a club, society, or business corporation

treasure trove -n

  1. treasure that anyone finds
  2. gold or silver in the form of money, plate, or bullion which is found hidden and whose ownership is not known
  3. a valuable discovery, resource, or collection

trea·sury ['tre-zh(ə-)rē, 'trā-] -n

  1. a place in which stores of wealth are kept
  2. the place of deposit and disbursement of collected funds
  3. one where public revenues are deposited, kept, and disbursed
  4. funds kept in such a depository
  5. treasure
  6. a governmental department in charge of finances and esp. the collection, management, and expenditure of public revenues
  7. the building in which the business of such a governmental department is transacted
  8. a government security (as a note or bill) issued by the Treasury
  9. a repository for treasures
    • a treasury of poems

treasury note -n

  1. a currency note issued by the U.S. Treasury in payment for silver bullion purchased under the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890
  2. a U.S. government bond usu. with a maturity of not less than one year or more than seven years

treasury of merits

  1. the superabundant satisfaction of Christ for human sins and the excess of merit of the saints which according to Roman Catholic theology is effective for salvation of others and is available for dispensation through indulgences

treasury stock -n

  1. issued stock reacquired by a corporation and held as an asset

treat ['trēt] -vb, n

  1. to discuss terms of accommodation or settlement : negotiate
  2. to deal with a matter esp. in writing : discourse usu. used with of
    • a book treat ing of conservation
  3. to pay another's expenses (as for a meal or drink) esp. as a compliment or as an expression of regard or friendship
  4. to deal with in speech or writing : expound
  5. to present or represent artistically
  6. to deal with : handle
    • food is plentiful and treat ed with imagination -- Cecil Beaton
  7. to bear oneself toward : use
    • treat a horse cruelly
  8. to regard and deal with in a specified manner usu. used with as
    • treat the matter as confidential
  9. to provide with free food, drink, or entertainment
    • they treat ed us to lunch
  10. to provide with enjoyment or gratification
  11. to care for or deal with medically or surgically
    • treat a disease
  12. to act upon with some agent esp. to improve or alter
    • treat a metal with acid
  13. an entertainment given without expense to those invited
  14. the act of providing another with free food, drink, or entertainment
    • dinner will be my treat
  15. an esp. unexpected source of joy, delight, or amusement
    • seeing her again was a treat

treat·able ['trē-tə-bəl] -adj, n

  1. capable of being treated : yielding or responsive to treatment
    • a treatable disease

trea·tise ['trē-təs also -təz] -n

  1. a systematic exposition or argument in writing including a methodical discussion of the facts and principles involved and conclusions reached
    • a treatise on higher education
  2. account, tale

treat·ment ['trēt-mənt] -n

  1. the act or manner or an instance of treating someone or something : handling, usage
    • the star requires careful treatment
  2. the techniques or actions customarily applied in a specified situation
  3. a substance or technique used in treating
  4. an experimental condition

trea·ty ['trē-tē] -n

  1. the action of treating and esp. of negotiating
  2. : an agreement or arrangement made by negotiation:
  3. private treaty
  4. a contract in writing between two or more political authorities (as states or sovereigns) formally signed by representatives duly authorized and usu. ratified by the lawmaking authority of the state
  5. a document in which such a contract is set down

treaty port -n

  1. any of numerous ports and inland cities in China, Japan, and Korea formerly open by treaty to foreign commerce

treb·bia·no [tre-'byä-(,)nō] -n

  1. a widely cultivated Italian white grape used esp. in making white wine and brandy

tre·ble ['tre-bəl] -n

  1. the highest voice part in harmonic music : soprano
  2. one that performs a treble part
  3. a member of a family of instruments having the highest range
  4. a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound
  5. the upper half of the whole vocal or instrumental tonal range
  6. the higher portion of the audio frequency range in sound recording and broadcasting
  7. something treble in construction, uses, amount, number, or value

treble ['tre-b(ə-)lē] -adj, adv

  1. having three parts or uses : threefold
  2. triple in number or amount
  3. relating to or having the range or part of a treble
  4. high-pitched, shrill
  5. of, relating to, or having the range of treble in sound recording and broadcasting
    • treble frequencies
  6. to increase threefold
  7. to sing treble
  8. to grow to three times the size, amount, or number

treble clef -n

  1. a clef that places G above middle C on the second line of the staff
  2. treble staff

treble staff -n

  1. the musical staff carrying the treble clef

treb·u·chet [,tre-byə-'shet, -bə-, -'chet] -n

  1. a medieval military engine for hurling heavy missiles (as rocks)

tre·cen·to [trā-'chen-(,)tō] -n

  1. the 14th century
  2. the 14th century in Italian literature and art

tree ['trē] -n, adj

  1. a woody perennial plant having a single usu. elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part
  2. a shrub or herb of arborescent form
    • rose tree s
    • a banana tree
  3. a piece of wood (as a post or pole) usu. adapted to a particular use or forming part of a structure or implement
  4. the cross on which Jesus was crucified
  5. gallows
  6. : something in the form of or resembling a tree: as
  7. a diagram or graph that branches usu. from a simple stem or vertex without forming loops or polygons
    • a genealogical tree
    • phylogenetic tree s
  8. a much-branched system of channels esp. in an animal body
    • the vascular tree
  9. saddletree
  10. to drive to or up a tree
    • treed by a bull
    • dogs tree ing game
  11. to put into a position of extreme disadvantage : corner
  12. to bring to bay
  13. to furnish or fit (as a shoe) with a tree

treed ['trēd] -adj

  1. planted or grown with trees : wooded

tree ear -n

  1. wood ear

tree farm -n

  1. an area of forest land managed to ensure continuous commercial production

tree fern -n

  1. any of various ferns (esp. families Cyatheaceae and Dicksoniaceae) of arborescent habit with a woody stem

tree frog -n

  1. any of numerous small anuran amphibians (esp. family Hylidae) of usu. arboreal habits that typically have adhesive disks on the toes

tree·hop·per ['trē-,hä-pər] -n

  1. any of a family (Membracidae) of small leaping homopterous insects that feed on the sap esp. of shrubs and trees

tree house -n

  1. a structure (as a playhouse) built among the branches of a tree

tree hugger -n

  1. environmentalist
  2. an advocate for the preservation of woodlands

tree line -n

  1. timberline

treen ['trēn] -n, sing or pl in constr

  1. small woodenware called also treenware

tree·nail ['trə-nᵊl] -n

  1. a wooden peg made usu. of dry compressed timber so as to swell in its hole when moistened

tree of heaven

  1. a Chinese ailanthus ( Ailanthus altissimasyn. A. glandulosa) that has foliage similar to that of the sumacs, has ill-scented staminate flowers, and is grown as a shade and ornamental tree

tree of life

  1. a conventionalized and often ornate representation of a tree used as a decorative motif

tree peony -n

  1. a shrubby Chinese peony ( Paeonia suffruticosa) that has large showy flowers and is the source of many horticultural varieties

tree ring -n

  1. annual ring

tree shrew -n

  1. any of a family (Tupaiidae of the order Scandentia) of small southeast Asian mammals that resemble squirrels, are of semiarboreal or terrestrial habit, feed chiefly on insects and fruit, and are sometimes classified as true insectivores or primitive primates

tree sparrow -n

  1. a Eurasian sparrow ( Passer montanus) that has a black spot on the ear coverts
  2. a No. American sparrow ( Spizella arborea) that has a single dark spot on the breast and breeds in Alaska and northern Canada and winters in the U.S.

tree surgery -n

  1. operative treatment of diseased trees esp. for control of decay
  2. practices forming part of the professional care of specimen or shade trees

tree swallow -n

  1. an American swallow ( Tachycineta bicolorsyn. Iridoprocne bicolor) with iridescent greenish-blue upperparts and white underparts

tree toad -n

  1. tree frog

tree tomato -n

  1. tamarillo

tree·top ['trē-,täp] -n

  1. the topmost part of a tree
  2. the height or line marked by the tops of a group of trees

tre·foil ['trē-,fȯi(-ə)l, 'tre-] -n

  1. clover
  2. any of several leguminous herbs (as bird's-foot trefoil) with leaves that have or appear to have three leaflets
  3. a trifoliolate leaf
  4. an ornament or symbol in the form of a stylized trifoliolate leaf

tre·ha·lose [tri-'hä-,lōs, -,lōz] -n

  1. a crystalline disaccharide C 12H 22O 11that is found in various organisms (as fungi and insects), is about half as sweet as sucrose, and is sometimes used as a sweetner in commercially prepared foods

treil·lage [tre-'yäzh] -n

  1. latticework for vines : trellis

trek ['trek] -vi, n

  1. to travel by ox wagon
  2. to migrate by ox wagon or in a train of such
  3. to make one's way arduously
  4. journey
  5. a journey by ox wagon
  6. an organized migration by a group of settlers
  7. a trip or movement esp. when involving difficulties or complex organization : an arduous journey

trel·lis ['tre-ləs] -n, adj

  1. a frame of latticework used as a screen or as a support for climbing plants
  2. a construction (as a summerhouse) chiefly of latticework
  3. an arrangement that forms or gives the effect of a lattice
    • a trellis of interlacing streams

trellis -vt

  1. to provide with a trellis
  2. to train (as a vine) on a trellis
  3. to cross or interlace on or through : interweave

trel·lis·work ['tre-ləs-,wərk] -n

  1. latticework

trem·a·tode ['tre-mə-,tōd] -n, adj

  1. any of a class (Trematoda) of parasitic usu. hermaphroditic flatworms including the flukes

trem·ble ['trem-bəl] -vi, n

  1. to shake involuntarily (as with fear or cold) : shiver
  2. to move, sound, pass, or come to pass as if shaken or tremulous
    • the building trembled from the blast
  3. to be affected with great fear or anxiety
    • trembled for the safety of her child

tremble -n

  1. an act or instance of trembling
  2. a fit or spell of involuntary shaking or quivering
  3. severe poisoning of livestock and esp. cattle by a toxic alcohol present in a snakeroot ( Eupatorium rugosum) and rayless goldenrod that is characterized esp. by muscular tremors, weakness, and constipation

trem·bly ['trem-b(ə-)lē] -adj

  1. marked by trembling : tremulous

tre·men·dous [tri-'men-dəs] -adj, adv, n

  1. being such as may excite trembling or arouse dread, awe, or terror
  2. notable by reason of extreme size, power, greatness, or excellence
    • tremendous problems
    • a writer of tremendous talent
    often used as a generalized term of approval
    • had a tremendous time
  3. unusually large : huge
    • a tremendous number of people

trem·o·lite ['tre-mə-,līt] -n, adj

  1. a white or gray mineral of the amphibole group that is a silicate of calcium and magnesium

trem·o·lo ['tre-mə-,lō] -n

  1. the rapid reiteration of a musical tone or of alternating tones to produce a tremulous effect
  2. vocal vibrato esp. when prominent or excessive
  3. a mechanical device in an organ for causing a tremulous effect

trem·or ['tre-mər] -n

  1. a trembling or shaking usu. from physical weakness, emotional stress, or disease
  2. nervous excitement
    • the exhibit caused a tremor in the artistic community
  3. a quivering or vibratory motion
  4. a discrete small movement following or preceding a major seismic event
  5. a feeling of uncertainty or insecurity
    • a tremor of hesitation
  6. a cause of such a feeling

trem·u·lant ['trem-yə-lənt] -adj

  1. tremulous, trembling

trem·u·lous [-ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. characterized by or affected with trembling or tremors
  2. affected with timidity : timorous
  3. such as is or might be caused by nervousness or shakiness
    • a tremulous smile
  4. exceedingly sensitive : easily shaken or disordered

trench ['trench] -n

  1. a long cut in the ground : ditch
  2. one used for military defense often with the excavated dirt thrown up in front
  3. a place, position, or level at which an activity is carried on in a manner likened to trench warfare often used in the phrase in the trenches
    • activists working in the trench es
  4. a long, narrow, and usu. steep-sided depression in the ocean floor
  5. trench coat
  6. to make a cut in : carve
  7. to protect with or as if with a trench
  8. to cut a trench in : ditch
  9. entrench, encroach
    • trench ing on other domains which were more vital -- Sir Winston Churchill
  10. to come close : verge
  11. to dig a trench

tren·chan·cy ['tren-chən(t)-sē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being trenchant

tren·chant [-chənt] -adj, adv

  1. keen, sharp
  2. vigorously effective and articulate
    • a trenchant analysis
  3. caustic
    • trenchant remarks
  4. sharply perceptive : penetrating
    • a trenchant view of current conditions
  5. clear-cut, distinct
    • the trenchant divisions between right and wrong -- Edith Wharton

trench coat -n

  1. a waterproof overcoat with a removable lining designed for wear in trenches
  2. a usu. double-breasted raincoat with deep pockets, wide belt, and often straps on the shoulders

trenched ['trencht] -adj

  1. furrowed or drained by trenches
  2. provided with protective trenches

tren·cher ['tren-chər] -n

  1. a wooden platter for serving food

trencher -adj

  1. of or relating to a trencher or to meals
  2. having the nature of a parasite : sycophantic

trench·er ['tren-chər] -n

  1. one that digs trenches
  2. a usu. self-propelled excavating machine typically employing a bucket conveyor and used to dig trenches esp. for pipelines and cables

tren·cher·man ['tren-chər-mən] -n

  1. a hearty eater
  2. hanger-on, sponger

trench fever -n

  1. a disease that is usu. marked by fever and pain in muscles, bones, and joints and that is caused by a bacterium ( Bartonella quintanasyn. Rochalimaea quintana) transmitted by the human body louse ( Pediculus humanus humanus)

trench foot -n

  1. a painful foot disorder resembling frostbite and resulting from prolonged exposure to cold and wet

trench mouth -n

  1. vincent's angina
  2. vincent's infection

trench warfare -n

  1. warfare in which the opposing forces attack and counterattack from a relatively permanent system of trenches protected by barbed-wire entanglements

trend ['trend] -vi

  1. to extend in a general direction : follow a general course
    • mountain ranges trend ing north and south
  2. to veer in a new direction : bend
    • a coastline that trend s westward
  3. to show a tendency : incline
    • prices trend ing upward
  4. to become deflected : shift
    • opinions trend ing toward conservatism
  5. a line of general direction or movement
    • the trend of the coast turned toward the west
  6. a prevailing tendency or inclination : drift
    • current trend s in education
  7. a general movement : swing
    • the trend toward suburban living
  8. a current style or preference : vogue
    • new fashion trend s
  9. a line of development : approach
    • new trend s in cancer research
  10. the general movement over time of a statistically detectable change
  11. a statistical curve reflecting such a change

tren·doid ['tren-,dȯid] -n

  1. a trendy person

trend·set·ter ['tren(d)-,se-tər] -n

  1. one that sets a trend

trend·set·ting [-,se-tiŋ] -adj

  1. that sets a trend
    • a trendsetting fashion look

trendy ['tren-dē] -adj, adv, n

  1. very fashionable : up-to-date
    • he's a trendy dresser -- Sunday Mirror
  2. marked by ephemeral, superficial, or faddish appeal or taste
    • trendy ideas about success

tre·pan [tri-'pan] -vt, n

  1. to use a trephine on (the skull)
  2. to remove a disk or cylindrical core (as from metal for testing)
  3. a heavy tool used in boring mine shafts
  4. trickster
  5. a deceptive device : snare
  6. entrap, lure

tre·pang [tri-'paŋ, 'trē-,] -n

  1. any of several large sea cucumbers (as of the genera Actinopygaand Holothuria) that are taken mostly in the southwestern Pacific and are boiled, dried, and used esp. in Asian cuisine called also beche-de-mer

treph·i·na·tion [,tre-fə-'nā-shən] -n

  1. an act or instance of perforating the skull with a surgical instrument

tre·phine ['trē-,fīn] -n, vt

  1. a surgical instrument for cutting out circular sections (as of bone or corneal tissue)

trep·id ['tre-pəd] -adj

  1. timorous, fearful

trep·i·dant ['tre-pə-dənt] -adj

  1. timid, trembling

trep·i·da·tion [,tre-pə-'dā-shən] -n

  1. a tremulous motion : tremor
  2. timorous uncertain agitation : apprehension
    • trepidation about starting a new job

trep·o·ne·ma [,tre-pə-'nē-mə] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Treponema) of spirochetes that are pathogenic in humans and other warm-blooded animals and include the causative agents of syphilis and yaws

trep·o·ne·ma·to·sis [-,nē-mə-'tō-səs, -,ne-] -n

  1. infection with or disease caused by treponemata

trep·o·neme ['tre-pə-,nēm] -n

  1. treponema

tres·pass ['tres-pəs, -,pas] -n

  1. a violation of moral or social ethics : transgression
  2. sin
  3. an unwarranted infringement
  4. an unlawful act committed on the person, property, or rights of another
  5. a wrongful entry on real property
  6. the legal action for injuries resulting from trespass

trespass [-,pas also -pəs] -vb, n

  1. err, sin
  2. to make an unwarranted or uninvited incursion
  3. to commit a trespass
  4. to enter unlawfully upon the land of another
  5. violate
    • trespass the bounds of good taste

tress ['tres] -n

  1. a long lock of hair
  2. the long unbound hair of a woman usu. used in pl.
  3. a plait of hair : braid

tressed ['trest] -adj

  1. being braided : plaited
  2. having tresses usu. used in combination
    • golden- tressed

tres·tle ['tre-səl also 'trə-] -n

  1. a braced frame serving as a support
  2. horse
  3. a braced framework of timbers, piles, or steelwork for carrying a road or railroad over a depression

trestle table -n

  1. a table supported on trestles

tres·tle·work [-,wərk] -n

  1. a system of connected trestles supporting a structure (as a railroad bridge)

tre·tin·o·in [tre-'ti-nə-win] -n

  1. the all-trans isomer of retinoic acid that is applied to the skin to treat severe acne and reduce facial wrinkles, roughness, and pigmented spots

tre·val·ly [trə-'va-lē] -n

  1. any of various carangid fishes (esp. genus Caranx)

trews ['trüz] -n pl

  1. pant
  2. tight-fitting trousers usu. of tartan
  3. close-cut tartan shorts worn under the kilt in Highland dress

trey ['trā] -n

  1. the side of a die or domino that has three spots
  2. a card numbered three or having three main pips
  3. a shot in basketball that counts for three points

tri- -comb form

  1. three : having three elements or parts
    • tri graph
  2. into three
    • tri sect
  3. thrice
    • tri weekly
  4. every third
    • tri monthly

tri·able ['trī-ə-bəl] -adj

  1. liable or subject to judicial or quasi-judicial examination or trial

tri·ac·e·tate [(,)trī-'a-sə-,tāt] -n

  1. an acetate containing three CH 3COO groups
  2. a textile fiber or fabric consisting of cellulose that is completely or almost completely acetylated

tri·ad ['trī-,ad also -əd] -n, adj, adv

  1. a union or group of three : trinity
  2. a chord of three tones consisting of a root with its third and fifth and constituting the harmonic basis of tonal music

tri·age [trē-'äzh, 'trē-,] -n, vt

  1. the sorting of and allocation of treatment to patients and esp. battle and disaster victims according to a system of priorities designed to maximize the number of survivors
  2. the sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care
  3. the assigning of priority order to projects on the basis of where funds and other resources can be best used, are most needed, or are most likely to achieve success

tri·al ['trī(-ə)l] -n

  1. the action or process of trying or putting to the proof : test
  2. a preliminary contest (as in a sport)
  3. the formal examination before a competent tribunal of the matter in issue in a civil or criminal cause in order to determine such issue
  4. a test of faith, patience, or stamina through subjection to suffering or temptation
  5. a source of vexation or annoyance
  6. a tryout or experiment to test quality, value, or usefulness
  7. one of a number of repetitions of an experiment
  8. attempt

trial -adj

  1. of, relating to, or used in a trial
  2. made or done as a test or experiment
  3. used or tried out in a test or experiment

trial and error -n

  1. a finding out of the best way to reach a desired result or a correct solution by trying out one or more ways or means and by noting and eliminating errors or causes of failure
  2. the trying of one thing or another until something succeeds

trial balance -n

  1. a list of the debit and credit balances of accounts in a double-entry ledger at a given date prepared primarily to test their equality

trial balloon -n

  1. a project or scheme tentatively announced in order to test public opinion

trial court -n

  1. the court before which issues of fact and law are first determined as distinguished from an appellate court

trial examiner -n

  1. a person appointed to hold hearings and to investigate and report facts sometimes with recommendations to an administrative or quasi-judicial agency or tribunal

trial horse -n

  1. one set up as an opponent for a champion in trial competitions or workouts

trial jury -n

  1. a jury impaneled to try a cause : petit jury

trial lawyer -n

  1. a lawyer who engages chiefly in the trial of cases before courts of original jurisdiction

tri·a·logue ['trī-ə-,lȯg, -,läg] -n

  1. a scene, discourse, or colloquy in which three persons share

trial run -n

  1. a testing exercise : experiment

tri·am·cin·o·lone [,trī-,am-'si-nə-,lōn] -n

  1. a glucocorticoid drug C 21H 27FO 6used chiefly in the form of its acetal or acetate derivatives esp. in treating skin disorders, asthma, and allergic rhinitis

tri·an·gle ['trī-,aŋ-gəl] -n

  1. a polygon having three sides
  2. a percussion instrument consisting of a rod of steel bent into the form of a triangle open at one angle and sounded by striking with a small metal rod
  3. a drafting instrument consisting of a thin flat right-angled triangle of wood or plastic with acute angles of 45 degrees or of 30 degrees and 60 degrees
  4. a situation in which one member of a couple is involved in a love affair with a third person

triangle inequality -n

  1. an inequality stating that the absolute value of a sum is less than or equal to the sum of the absolute values of the terms

tri·an·gu·lar [trī-'aŋ-gyə-lər] -adj, n, adv

  1. of, relating to, or having the form of a triangle
    • a triangular plot of land
  2. having a triangular base or principal surface
    • a triangular table
    • a triangular pyramid
  3. of, relating to, or involving three elements
    • a triangular agreement
  4. based primarily on three units
  5. of or relating to a love triangle

triangular number -n

  1. a number (as 3, 6, 10, 15) representable by that many dots arranged in rows that form a triangle and that equalsfor some positive integer value of n

tri·an·gu·late [trī-'aŋ-gyə-lət] -adj

  1. consisting of or marked with triangles
  2. to survey, map, or determine by triangulation
  3. to divide into triangles
  4. to give triangular form to

tri·an·gu·la·tion [(,)trī-,aŋ-gyə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. the measurement of the elements necessary to determine the network of triangles into which any part of the earth's surface is divided in surveying
  2. any similar trigonometric operation for finding a position or location by means of bearings from two fixed points a known distance apart

tri·ar·chy ['trī-,är-kē] -n

  1. government by three persons : triumvirate
  2. a country under three rulers

Tri·as·sic [trī-'a-sik] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or being the earliest period of the Mesozoic era or the corresponding system of rocks marked by the first appearance of the dinosaurs

tri·ath·lete [trī-'ath-,lēt, ÷'a-thə-] -n

  1. an athlete who competes in a triathlon

tri·ath·lon [trī-'ath-lən, -,län, ÷-'a-thə-] -n

  1. an athletic contest that is a long-distance race consisting of three phases (as swimming, bicycling, and running)

tri·atom·ic [,trī-ə-'tä-mik] -adj

  1. having three atoms in the molecule
    • ozone is triatomic oxygen

tri·ax·i·al [(,)trī-'ak-sē-əl] -adj, n

  1. having or involving three axes

tri·azine ['trī-ə-,zēn, trī-'a-,zēn] -n

  1. any of three compounds C 3H 3N 3containing a ring composed of three carbon and three nitrogen atoms
  2. any of various derivatives of these including several (as atrazine and simazine) used as herbicides

trib -abbr

  1. tributary

trib·al ['trī-bəl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tribe
    • tribal customs

tribal -n

  1. a member of an aboriginal people of India usu. used in pl.

trib·al·ism [-bə-,li-zəm] -n

  1. tribal consciousness and loyalty
  2. exaltation of the tribe above other groups
  3. strong in-group loyalty

tri·ba·sic [(,)trī-'bā-sik] -adj

  1. having three replaceable hydrogen atoms used of acids

tribe ['trīb] -n

  1. a social group comprising numerous families, clans, or generations together with slaves, dependents, or adopted strangers
  2. a political division of the Roman people orig. representing one of the three original tribes of ancient Rome
  3. phyle
  4. a group of persons having a common character, occupation, or interest
  5. a category of taxonomic classification ranking below a subfamily
  6. a natural group irrespective of taxonomic rank
    • the cat tribe
    • the rose tribe

tribes·man ['trībz-mən] -n

  1. a member of a tribe

tribes·peo·ple [-,pē-pəl] -n pl

  1. members of a tribe

tribo- -comb form

  1. friction
    • tribo luminescence

tri·bo·elec·tric·i·ty [,trī-bō-i-,lek-'tri-sə-tē, ,tri-, -'tris-tē] -n, adj

  1. a charge of electricity generated by friction (as by rubbing glass with silk)

tri·bol·o·gy [trī-'bä-lə-jē, tri-] -n, adj

  1. a study that deals with the design, friction, wear, and lubrication of interacting surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings or gears)

tri·bo·lu·mi·nes·cence [,trī-bō-,lü-mə-'ne-sᵊn(t)s, 'tri-] -n, adj

  1. luminescence due to friction

tri·brach ['trī-,brak] -n, adj

  1. a metrical foot of three short syllables of which two belong to the thesis and one to the arsis

trib·u·late ['tri-byə-,lāt] -vt

  1. to cause to endure tribulation

trib·u·la·tion [,tri-byə-'lā-shən] -n

  1. distress or suffering resulting from oppression or persecution
  2. a trying experience
    • the trials and tribulation s of starting a new business

tri·bu·nal [trī-'byü-nᵊl, tri-] -n

  1. tribune
  2. a court or forum of justice
  3. something that decides or determines
    • the tribunal of public opinion

tri·bu·nate ['tri-byə-,nāt, tri-'byü-nət] -n

  1. the office, function, or term of office of a tribune

tri·bune ['tri-,byün, tri-'] -n

  1. a Roman official under the monarchy and the republic with the function of protecting the plebeian citizen from arbitrary action by the patrician magistrates
  2. an unofficial defender of the rights of the individual

tribune -n

  1. a dais or platform from which an assembly is addressed

trib·u·tary ['tri-byə-,ter-ē] -adj

  1. paying tribute to another to acknowledge submission, to obtain protection, or to purchase peace : subject
  2. paid or owed as tribute
    • tributary gifts
  3. channeling material or supplies into something more inclusive : contributory

tributary -n

  1. a ruler or state that pays tribute to a conqueror
  2. a stream feeding a larger stream or a lake

trib·ute ['tri-(,)byüt, -byət] -n

  1. a payment by one ruler or nation to another in acknowledgment of submission or as the price of protection
  2. the tax levied for such a payment
  3. an excessive tax, rental, or tariff imposed by a government, sovereign, lord, or landlord
  4. an exorbitant charge levied by a person or group having the power of coercion
  5. the liability to pay tribute
  6. something given or contributed voluntarily as due or deserved
  7. a gift or service showing respect, gratitude, or affection
    • a floral tribute
  8. something (as material evidence or a formal attestation) that indicates the worth, virtue, or effectiveness of the one in question
    • the design is a tribute to his ingenuity

tri·bu·tyl·tin [trī-'byü-tᵊl-tən] -n

  1. an organic compound of tin used as a biocide esp. in marine antifouling paints

tri·car·box·yl·ic [,trī-,kär-,bäk-'si-lik] -adj

  1. containing three carboxyl groups in the molecule
    • tricarboxylic acid

tricarboxylic acid cycle -n

  1. krebs cycle

trice ['trīs] -vt

  1. to haul up or in and lash or secure (as a sail) with a small rope
  2. a brief space of time : instant used chiefly in the phrase in a trice

tri·ceps ['trī-,seps] -n

  1. a muscle that arises from three heads
  2. the large extensor muscle along the back of the upper arm

tri·cer·a·tops [(,)trī-'ser-ə-,täps] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Triceratops) of large herbivorous quadrupedal ceratopsian dinosaurs of the Late Cretaceous with three horns, a bony hood or crest on the neck, and hoofed toes

trich- -comb form

  1. hair : filament
    • tricho gyne

tri·chi·a·sis [tri-'kī-ə-səs] -n

  1. a turning inward of the eyelashes often causing irritation of the eyeball

tri·chi·na [tri-'kī-nə] -n, adj

  1. a small slender nematode worm ( Trichinella spiralis) that is a parasite of flesh-eating mammals (as humans and swine) with larvae that migrate from the intestines to striated muscles where they become encysted

trich·i·nize ['tri-kə-,nīz] -vt

  1. to infest with trichinae
    • trichinized pork

trich·i·no·sis [,tri-kə-'nō-səs] -n

  1. infestation with or disease caused by trichinae and marked esp. by muscular pain, dyspnea, fever, weakness, and edema

tri·chi·nous ['tri-kə-nəs, tri-'kī-] -adj

  1. infested with trichinae
    • trichinous meat
  2. of, relating to, or involving trichinae or trichinosis
    • trichinous infection

tri·chlor·fon [(,)trī-'klȯr-,fän] -n

  1. a crystalline compound C 4H 8Cl 3O 4P used esp. as an insecticide

tri·chlo·ro·ace·tic acid [,trī-,klȯr-ō-ə-'sē-tik-] -n

  1. a strong vesicant pungent acid C 2Cl 3HO 2used in weed control and in medicine as a caustic and astringent

tri·chlo·ro·eth·y·lene [-'e-thə-,lēn] -n

  1. a nonflammable toxic liquid C 2HCl 3used esp. as an industrial solvent

tricho·cyst ['tri-kə-,sist] -n

  1. any of the minute lassoing or stinging organelles of protozoans and esp. of many ciliates

trich·o·gram·ma wasp [,tri-kə-'gra-mə-] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Trichogramma) of minute chalcid wasps that are parasitic as larvae in the eggs of other insects and are used in the biological control of lepidopteran pests

tricho·gyne [-,jīn, -,gīn] -n

  1. a slender terminal prolongation of the ascogonium of a fungus that may serve as a fertilization tube
  2. a similar reproductive structure in a red alga

tri·chol·o·gist [tri-'kä-lə-jist] -n

  1. a person who specializes in hair and scalp care
  2. hairdresser

tri·chome ['tri-,kōm, 'trī-] -n

  1. a filamentous outgrowth
  2. an epidermal hair structure on a plant

tricho·mo·nad [,tri-kə-'mō-,nad, -nəd] -n, adj

  1. any of a genus ( Trichomonas) of flagellated protozoans parasitic in many animals

trich·o·mo·nas [,tri-kə-'mō-nəs] -n

  1. trichomonad

tricho·mo·ni·a·sis [,tri-kə-mə-'nī-ə-səs] -n

  1. : infection with or disease caused by trichomonads: as
  2. a human sexually transmitted disease occurring esp. as vaginitis with a persistent discharge and caused by a trichomonad ( Trichomonas vaginalis) that may also invade the male urethra and bladder
  3. a venereal disease of domestic cattle marked by abortion and sterility
  4. one or more diseases of various birds resembling blackhead

tri·chop·ter·an [tri-'käp-tə-rən] -n, adj

  1. caddis fly

tricho·the·cene [,tri-kə-'thē-,sēn] -n

  1. any of several mycotoxins that are produced by various fungi (as genera Fusariumand Trichothecium) and that include some contaminants of livestock feed and some held to be found in yellow rain

tricho·til·lo·ma·nia [,tri-kə-,ti-lə-'mā-nē-ə] -n

  1. an abnormal desire to pull out one's hair

tri·chot·o·mous [trī-'kä-tə-məs] -adj, adv

  1. divided or dividing into three parts or into threes
    • trichotomous branching

tri·chot·o·my [-mē] -n

  1. division into three parts, elements, or classes

tri·chro·mat ['trī-krō-,mat, (,)trī-'] -n

  1. a person with trichromatism

tri·chro·mat·ic [,trī-krō-'ma-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of three colors
    • trichromatic light
  2. relating to or being the theory that human color vision involves three types of retinal sensory receptors
  3. characterized by trichromatism
    • trichromatic vision

tri·chro·ma·tism [(,)trī-'krō-mə-,ti-zəm] -n

  1. color vision based on the perception of three primary colors and esp. red, green, and blue

trick ['trik] -n

  1. a crafty procedure or practice meant to deceive or defraud
  2. a mischievous act : prank
  3. an indiscreet or childish action
  4. a deceptive, dexterous, or ingenious feat
  5. one designed to puzzle or amuse
    • a juggler's trick s
  6. a habitual peculiarity of behavior or manner
    • a horse with the trick of shying
  7. a characteristic and identifying feature
    • a trick of speech
  8. a delusive appearance esp. when caused by art or legerdemain : an optical illusion
    • a mere trick of the light
  9. a quick or artful way of getting a result : knack
    • the trick is to make it look natural
  10. an instance of getting a desired result
    • one small adjustment will do the trick
  11. a technical device (as of an art or craft)
    • the trick s of stage technique
  12. the cards played in one round of a card game often used as a scoring unit
  13. a turn of duty at the helm usu. lasting for two hours
  14. shift
  15. a trip taken as part of one's employment
  16. a sexual act performed by a prostitute
    • turning trick s
  17. john
  18. an attractive child or woman
    • a cute little trick
  19. to dress or adorn fancifully or ornately : ornament
    • trick ed out in a gaudy uniform
  20. to deceive by cunning or artifice : cheat
  21. trig
  22. of or relating to or involving tricks or trickery
    • trick photography
    • trick dice
  23. skilled in or used for tricks
    • a trick horse
  24. somewhat defective and unreliable
    • a trick lock
  25. inclined to give way unexpectedly
    • a trick knee

trick·er ['tri-kər] -n

  1. one that tricks : trickster

trick·ery ['tri-k(ə-)rē] -n

  1. the practice of crafty underhanded ingenuity to deceive or cheat

trick·ish ['tri-kish] -adj, adv, n

  1. given to or characterized by tricks or trickery : tricky

trick·le ['tri-kəl] -vi

  1. to issue or fall in drops
  2. to flow in a thin gentle stream
  3. to move or go one by one or little by little
    • customers began to trickle in
  4. to dissipate slowly
    • his enthusiasm trickled away

trickle -n

  1. a thin, slow, or intermittent stream or movement

trickledown -adj

  1. relating to or working on the principle of trickle-down theory
    • trickledown economics
  2. relating to or being an effect caused gradually by remote or indirect influences

trickledown theory -n

  1. a theory that financial benefits given to big business will in turn pass down to smaller businesses and consumers

trick or treat -n, vi

  1. a children's Halloween practice of asking for treats from door to door under threat of playing tricks on those who refuse

trick·ster ['trik-stər] -n

  1. : one who tricks: as
  2. a dishonest person who defrauds others by trickery
  3. a person (as a stage magician) skilled in the use of tricks and illusion
  4. a cunning or deceptive character appearing in various forms in the folklore of many cultures

tricksy ['trik-sē] -adj, n

  1. smartly attired : spruce
  2. full of tricks : prankish
  3. having the craftiness of a trickster
  4. difficult to cope with or handle : trying
    • a tricksy job
  5. ornately contrived in technique or effect

tricky ['tri-kē] -adj, adv, n

  1. inclined to or marked by trickery
  2. giving a deceptive impression of easiness, simplicity, or order : ticklish
    • a tricky path through the swamp
  3. trick
  4. requiring skill, knack, or caution (as in doing or handling) : difficult
    • a tricky problem
  5. ingenious
    • a tricky rhythm

tri·clad ['trī-,klad] -n, adj

  1. any of an order (Tricladida) of turbellarian flatworms (as a planarian) having an intestine with one anterior and two posterior branches

tri·clin·ic [(,)trī-'kli-nik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or constituting a system of crystallization characterized by three unequal axes intersecting at oblique angles used esp. of a crystal

tri·clin·i·um [trī-'kli-nē-əm] -n

  1. a couch extending around three sides of a table used by the ancient Romans for reclining at meals
  2. a dining room furnished with a triclinium

tri·clo·san [trī-'klō-,san] -n

  1. a whitish crystalline powder C 12H 7C1 3O 2that is a phenyl ether derivative used esp. as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent (as in soaps, deodorants, and mouthwash)

tric·o·lette [,tri-kə-'let] -n

  1. a usu. silk or rayon knitted fabric used esp. for women's clothing

tri·col·or ['trī-,kə-lər also 'trē-, esp Brit 'tri-kə-lər] -adj

  1. having, using, or marked with three colors
  2. having a coat of black, tan, and white
  3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tricolor or a nation whose flag is a tricolor
  4. french

tricolor -n

  1. a flag of three colors arranged in equal horizontal or vertical bands
    • the French tricolor
  2. a tricolor animal
  3. a tricolor dog

tri·corn ['trī-,kȯrn] -adj

  1. having three horns or corners

tri·corne ['trī-,kȯrn] -n

  1. cocked hat

tri·cor·nered ['trī-'kȯ(r)-nərd] -adj

  1. having three corners

tri·cot ['trē-(,)kō, 'trī-kət] -n

  1. a plain warp-knitted fabric (as of nylon, wool, rayon, silk, or cotton) with a close inelastic knit and used esp. in clothing (as underwear)
  2. a twilled clothing fabric of wool with fine warp ribs or of wool and cotton with fine weft ribs

tri·co·tine [,tri-kə-'tēn, ,trē-] -n

  1. a sturdy suiting woven of tightly twisted yarns in a double twill

tric·trac ['trik-,trak] -n

  1. an old form of backgammon played with pegs

tri·cus·pid [(,)trī-'kəs-pəd] -adj

  1. having three cusps
    • a tricuspid molar

tricuspid -n

  1. a tricuspid anatomical structure
  2. a tooth having three cusps

tricuspid valve -n

  1. a valve of three flaps that prevents reflux of blood from the right ventricle to the right atrium

tri·cy·cle ['trī-sə-kəl, -,si-kəl] -n

  1. a 3-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals or a motor

tri·cy·clic [(,)trī-'sī-klik, -'si-klik] -adj

  1. being a chemical with three usu. fused rings in the molecular structure and esp. a tricyclic antidepressant

tricyclic antidepressant -n

  1. any of a group of antidepressant drugs (as imipramine and amitriptyline) that contain three fused benzene rings, potentiate the action of catecholamines (as norepinephrine and serotonin) by inhibiting their uptake by nerve endings, and do not inhibit the action of monoamine oxidase called also tricyclic

trident -n

  1. a 3-pronged spear serving in classical mythology as the attribute of a sea god (as Neptune)
  2. a 3-pronged spear (as for fishing)

tri·dent ['trī-dᵊnt] -adj

  1. having three teeth, processes, or points

Tri·den·tine [trī-'den-,tīn, -,tēn; 'trī-dᵊn-, 'tri-] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Roman Catholic Church council held at Trent from 1545 to 1563 or its decrees

tri·di·men·sion·al [,trī-də-'mench-nəl, -,dī-, -'men(t)-shə-nᵊl] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or concerned with three dimensions
    • tridimensional space

trid·u·um ['tri-jə-wəm, 'tri-dyə-] -n

  1. a period of three days of prayer usu. preceding a Roman Catholic feast

tried ['trīd] -adj

  1. found good, faithful, or trustworthy through experience or testing
    • a tried recipe
  2. subjected to trials or distress
    • a kind but much- tried father

triedandtrue -adj

  1. proved good, desirable, or feasible : shown or known to be worthy
    • a triedandtrue sales technique

tri·ene ['trī-,ēn] -n

  1. a chemical compound containing three double bonds

tri·en·ni·al [(,)trī-'e-nē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. occurring or being done every three years
    • the triennial convention
  2. consisting of or lasting for three years
    • a triennial contract

tri·en·ni·um [trī-'e-nē-əm] -n

  1. a period of three years

tri·er ['trī(-ə)r] -n

  1. someone or something that tries
  2. an implement (as a tapered hollow tube) used in obtaining samples of bulk material for examination and testing

tri·er·arch ['trī(-ə)-,rärk] -n

  1. the commander of a trireme
  2. an Athenian citizen who had to fit out a trireme for the public service

tri·er·ar·chy [-,rär-kē] -n

  1. the ancient Athenian plan whereby individual citizens furnished and maintained triremes as a civic duty

tri·fec·ta [trī-'fek-tə, 'trī-,] -n

  1. a variation of the perfecta in which a bettor wins by selecting the first three finishers of a race in the correct order of finish
  2. triple
    • achieved a show-business trifecta : a platinum record, hit TV series, and an Oscar

tri·fid ['trī-,fid, -fəd] -adj

  1. being deeply and narrowly cleft into three teeth, processes, or points
    • a spoon with a trifid top

tri·fle ['trī-fəl] -n

  1. something of little value, substance, or importance
  2. a dessert typically consisting of plain or sponge cake often soaked with wine or spirits (as brandy or rum) and topped with layers of preserves, custard, and cream

trifle [-f(ə-)liŋ] -vb, n

  1. to talk in a jesting or mocking manner or with intent to delude or mislead
  2. to treat someone or something as unimportant
  3. to handle something idly
  4. to spend or waste in trifling or on trifles

trifling -adj

  1. : lacking in significance or solid worth: as
  2. frivolous
    • trifling talk
  3. trivial
    • a trifling gift
  4. lazy, shiftless
    • a trifling fellow

tri·fluo·per·a·zine [,trī-,flü-ō-'per-ə-,zēn, -zən] -n

  1. a phenothiazine tranquilizer C 21H 24F 3N 3S chiefly used to treat psychotic conditions and esp. schizophrenia

tri·flu·ra·lin [trī-'flu̇r-ə-lən] -n

  1. an herbicide C 13H 16F 3N 3O 4used in the control of weeds

tri·fo·cal [(,)trī-'fō-kəl] -adj

  1. having three focal lengths

trifocal -n

  1. eyeglasses with trifocal lenses
  2. a trifocal glass or lens

tri·fo·li·ate [(,)trī-'fō-lē-ət] -adj

  1. having three leaves
    • a trifoliate plant
  2. trifoliolate

trifoliate orange -n

  1. a thorny Chinese tree ( Poncirus trifoliata) of the rue family related to the citruses that has trifoliolate leaves and a sour yellow fruit resembling a small orange and that is grown for ornament or hedges or used as a rootstock for citrus fruits

tri·fo·li·o·late [(,)trī-'fō-lē-ə-,lāt] -adj

  1. having three leaflets
    • a trifoliolate leaf

tri·fo·li·um [trī-'fō-lē-əm] -n

  1. clover

tri·fo·ri·um [trī-'fȯr-ē-əm] -n

  1. a gallery forming an upper story to the aisle of a church and typically an arcaded story between the nave arches and clerestory

tri·form ['trī-,fȯrm] -adj

  1. having a triple form or nature

tri·fur·cate [(,)trī-'fər-kət, -,kāt; 'trī-(,)fər-,kāt] -adj, vi, n

  1. having three branches or forks : trichotomous

trig ['trig] -adj

  1. stylishly or jauntily trim
    • everything was trim and trig and bright -- Mark Twain
  2. extremely precise : prim
  3. firm, vigorous
  4. trigonometry

tri·gem·i·nal [trī-'je-mə-nᵊl] -adj

  1. of or relating to the trigeminal nerve

trigeminal nerve -n

  1. either of a pair of large mixed nerves that are the fifth cranial nerves and supply motor and sensory fibers mostly to the face called also trigeminal

trigeminal neuralgia -n

  1. an intense paroxysmal neuralgia involving one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve

trig·ger ['tri-gər] -n, adj

  1. a piece (as a lever) connected with a catch or detent as a means of releasing it
  2. the part of the action moved by the finger to fire a gun
  3. a similar movable part by which a mechanism is actuated
    • trigger of a spray gun
  4. something that acts like a mechanical trigger in initiating a process or reaction

trigger ['tri-g(ə-)riŋ] -vb

  1. to release or activate by means of a trigger
  2. to fire by pulling a mechanical trigger
    • trigger a rifle
  3. to cause the explosion of
    • trigger a missile with a proximity fuse
  4. to initiate, actuate, or set off by a trigger
    • an indiscreet remark that trigger ed a fight
    • a stimulus that trigger ed a reflex
  5. to release a mechanical trigger

trig·ger·fish ['tri-gər-,fish] -n

  1. any of various deep-bodied bony fishes (family Balistidae, esp. genus Balistes) of warm seas having an anterior dorsal fin with two or three stout erectile spines

trig·gerhap·py [-,ha-pē] -adj

  1. irresponsible in the use of firearms
  2. inclined to shoot before clearly identifying the target
  3. inclined to be irresponsible in matters that might precipitate war
  4. aggressively belligerent in attitude

trig·ger·man [-mən, -,man] -n

  1. a gunman who shoots the victim (as in a gangland murder)

trigger point -n

  1. a localized usu. tender or painful area of the body and esp. of a muscle that when stimulated gives rise to pain elsewhere in the body

tri·glyc·er·ide [(,)trī-'gli-sə-,rīd] -n

  1. any of a group of lipids that are esters formed from one molecule of glycerol and three molecules of one or more fatty acids, are widespread in adipose tissue, and commonly circulate in the blood in the form of lipoproteins

tri·glyph ['trī-,glif] -n, adj

  1. a slightly projecting rectangular tablet in a Doric frieze with two vertical channels of V section and two corresponding chamfers or half channels on the vertical sides

tri·gon ['trī-,gän] -n

  1. triplicity

tri·go·nal [trī-'gō-nᵊl] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being the division of the hexagonal crystal system or the forms belonging to it characterized by a vertical axis of threefold symmetry

trig·o·no·met·ric [,tri-gə-nə-'me-trik] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or being in accordance with trigonometry

trigonometric function -n

  1. a function (as the sine, cosine, tangent, cotangent, secant, or cosecant) of an arc or angle most simply expressed in terms of the ratios of pairs of sides of a right-angled triangle called also circular function
  2. the inverse (as the arcsine, arccosine, or arctangent) of a trigonometric function

trig·o·nom·e·try [,tri-gə-'nä-mə-trē] -n

  1. the study of the properties of triangles and trigonometric functions and of their applications

tri·gram ['trī-,gram] -n

  1. trigraph
  2. any of the eight possible combinations of three whole or broken lines used esp. in Chinese divination

tri·graph ['trī-,graf] -n, adj

  1. three letters spelling a single consonant, vowel, or diphthong
    • eau of beau is a trigraph
  2. a cluster of three successive letters
    • the, ion, and ing are high frequency trigraph s

tri·halo·meth·ane [(,)trī-,ha-lə-'me-,thān, Brit usu -'mē-] -n

  1. any of various derivatives CHX 3of methane (as chloroform) that have three halogen atoms per molecule and are formed esp. during the chlorination of drinking water

tri·he·dral [-'hē-drəl] -adj, n

  1. having three faces
    • trihedral angle
  2. of or relating to a trihedral angle

tri·hy·brid [-'hī-brəd] -n, adj

  1. an individual or strain that is heterozygous for three pairs of genes

tri·hy·droxy [,trī-hī-'dräk-sē, -hə-] -adj

  1. containing three hydroxyl groups in the molecule

tri·io·do·thy·ro·nine [,trī-,ī-ə-dō-'thī-rə-,nēn] -n

  1. an iodine-containing hormone C 15H 12I 3NO 4that is an amino acid derived from thyroxine

tri·jet ['trī-,jet] -n

  1. an aircraft powered with three jet engines

trike ['trīk] -n

  1. tricycle

tri·lat·er·al [(,)trī-'la-tə-rəl, -'la-trəl] -adj

  1. having three sides or parties
    • trilateral business ventures
    • trilateral discussions

tril·by ['tril-bē] -n

  1. a soft felt hat with indented crown

tri·lin·e·ar [(,)trī-'li-nē-ər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or involving three lines
    • trilinear coordinates

tri·lin·gual [-'liŋ-gwəl also -'liŋ-gyə-wəl] -adj, adv

  1. consisting of, having, or expressed in three languages
    • trilingual countries
    • a trilingual joke
  2. familiar with or able to use three languages
    • a trilingual teacher

tri·lit·er·al [-'li-t(ə-)rəl] -adj, n

  1. consisting of three letters and esp. of three consonants
    • triliteral roots in Semitic languages

triliteral -n

  1. a root or word that is triliteral

trill ['tril] -vb

  1. to flow in a small stream or in drops : trickle
  2. twirl, revolve
  3. to cause to flow in a small stream
  4. the alternation of two musical tones a diatonic second apart called also shake
  5. vibrato
  6. a rapid reiteration of the same tone esp. on a percussion instrument
  7. a sound resembling a musical trill : warble
  8. the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as of the tip of the tongue against the teethridge)
  9. a speech sound made by a trill
  10. to play or sing with a trill : quaver
  11. to utter as or with or as if with a trill
    • trill the r

tril·lion ['tri(l)-yən] -n, adj, adj or n

  1. an indeterminately large number
    • a trillion mosquitoes out tonight

tril·li·um ['tri-lē-əm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Trillium) of herbs of the lily family with an erect stem bearing a whorl of three leaves and a solitary typically spring-blooming flower

tri·lo·bate [(,)trī-'lō-,bāt] -adj

  1. trilobed

tri·lobed ['trī-'lōbd] -adj

  1. having three lobes
    • a trilobed leaf

tri·lo·bite ['trī-lə-,bīt] -n

  1. any of numerous extinct Paleozoic marine arthropods (group Trilobita) having the segments of the body divided by furrows on the dorsal surface into three lobes

tril·o·gy ['tri-lə-jē] -n

  1. a series of three dramas or literary works or sometimes three musical compositions that are closely related and develop a single theme

trim ['trim] -vb

  1. to embellish with or as if with ribbons, lace, or ornaments
    • trim the Christmas tree
    • the coat was trimmed with fur
  2. to administer a beating to : thrash
  3. defeat
    • trimmed me at chess
  4. to make trim and neat esp. by cutting or clipping
    • trim the hedges
  5. to free of excess or extraneous matter by or as if by cutting
    • trim a budget
    • trim down the inventory
  6. to remove by or as if by cutting
    • trimmed thousands from federal payrolls -- Grit
  7. to cause (as a ship) to assume a desirable position in the water by arrangement of ballast, cargo, or passengers
  8. to adjust (as an airplane or submarine) for horizontal movement or for motion upward or downward
  9. to adjust (as cargo or a sail) to a desired position
  10. to maintain neutrality between opposing parties or to favor each equally
  11. to change one's views for reasons of expediency
  12. to assume or cause a boat to assume a desired position in the water
    • a boat that trim s badly
  13. excellent, fine
  14. ready for service or use
  15. in good physical condition
    • keeps trim by jogging
  16. exhibiting neatness, good order, or compactness of line or structure
    • trim houses
  17. in a trim manner : trimly used chiefly in combination
    • the trim -cut forest vistas -- W. M. Thackeray
  18. suitable or excellent condition
    • tries to keep in trim
  19. one's clothing or appearance
  20. material used for ornament or trimming
  21. the woodwork in the finish of a building esp. around openings
  22. the interior furnishings of an automobile
  23. the position of a ship or boat esp. with reference to the horizontal
  24. the difference between the draft of a ship forward and that aft
  25. the relation between the plane of a sail and the direction of the ship
  26. the buoyancy status of a submarine
  27. the attitude of a lighter-than-air craft relative to a fore-and-aft horizontal plane
  28. the attitude with respect to wind axes at which an airplane will continue in level flight with free controls
  29. something that is trimmed off or cut out
  30. a haircut that neatens a previous haircut

tri·ma·ran ['trī-mə-,ran, ,trī-mə-'] -n

  1. a fast pleasure sailboat with three hulls side by side

tri·mer ['trī-mər] -n, adj

  1. a polymer formed from three molecules of a monomer

trim·er·ous ['tri-mə-rəs] -adj

  1. having the parts in threes used of a flower and often written 3-merous

tri·mes·ter [(,)trī-'mes-tər, 'trī-,] -n

  1. a period of three or about three months
  2. any of three periods of approximately three months each into which a human pregnancy is divided
  3. one of three terms into which the academic year is sometimes divided

trim·e·ter ['tri-mə-tər] -n

  1. a line of verse consisting of three dipodies or three metrical feet

tri·meth·o·prim [trī-'me-thə-,prim] -n

  1. a synthetic antibacterial and antimalarial drug C 14H 18N 4O 3used alone or in combination with sulfamethoxazole

trim·mer ['tri-mər] -n

  1. one that trims articles
  2. one that stows coal or freight on a ship so as to distribute the weight properly
  3. an instrument or machine with which trimming is done
  4. a circuit element (as a capacitor) used to tune a circuit to a desired frequency
  5. a beam that receives the end of a header in floor framing
  6. a person who modifies a policy, position, or opinion esp. out of expediency

trimming -n

  1. defeat, beating
  2. the act of one who trims
  3. a decorative accessory or additional item
    • trimming s for a hat
  4. an additional garnishing
    • turkey and all the trimming s

tri·month·ly [(,)trī-'mən(t)th-lē] -adj

  1. occurring every three months

tri·mor·phic [(,)trī-'mȯr-fik] -adj

  1. occurring in or having three distinct forms

tri·mo·tor ['trī-,mō-tər, -'mō-] -n

  1. an airplane powered by three engines

trim size -n

  1. the actual size (as of a book page) after excess material required in production has been cut off

Tri·mur·ti [tri-'mu̇r-tē] -n

  1. the great triad of Hindu gods comprising Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva

tri·nal ['trī-nᵊl] -adj

  1. threefold

trine ['trīn] -adj

  1. threefold, triple
  2. of, relating to, or being the favorable astrological aspect of two celestial bodies 120 degrees apart
  3. a group of three : triad
  4. the trine astrological aspect of two celestial bodies

trine immersion -n

  1. the practice of immersing a candidate for baptism three times in the names of the members of the Trinity

trin·i·tar·i·an [,tri-nə-'ter-ē-ən] -adj

  1. of or relating to the Trinity, the doctrine of the Trinity, or adherents to that doctrine
  2. having three parts or aspects : threefold

Trinitarian [-ē-ə-,ni-zəm] -n

  1. a member of a religious teaching and nursing order for men founded in France in 1198 by John of Matha and Philip of Valois
  2. one who subscribes to the doctrine of the Trinity

tri·ni·tro·tol·u·ene [,trī-,nī-trō-'täl-yə-,wēn] -n

  1. tnt

Trin·i·ty ['tri-nə-tē] -n

  1. the unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three persons in one Godhead according to Christian dogma
  2. a group of three closely related persons or things
  3. the Sunday after Whitsunday observed as a feast in honor of the Trinity

Trin·i·ty·tide [-,tīd] -n

  1. the season of the church year between Trinity Sunday and Advent

trin·ket ['triŋ-kət] -n

  1. a small ornament (as a jewel or ring)
  2. a small article of equipment
  3. a thing of little value : trifle

trin·ket·ry [-kə-trē] -n

  1. small items of personal ornament

trin·oc·u·lar [(,)trī-'nä-kyə-lər] -adj

  1. relating to or being a binocular microscope equipped with a lens for photographic recording during direct visual observation

tri·no·mi·al [trī-'nō-mē-əl] -n

  1. a polynomial of three terms
  2. a biological taxonomic name of three terms of which the first designates the genus, the second the species, and the third the subspecies or variety

trinomial -adj

  1. consisting of three mathematical terms
  2. of, relating to, or being a biological trinomial

tri·nu·cle·o·tide [(,)trī-'nü-klē-ə-,tīd, -'nyü-] -n

  1. a nucleotide consisting of three mononucleotides in combination : codon

trio ['trē-(,)ō] -n

  1. a musical composition for three voice parts or three instruments
  2. the secondary or episodic division of a minuet or scherzo, a march, or of various dance forms
  3. the performers of a musical or dance trio
  4. a group or set of three

tri·ode ['trī-,ōd] -n

  1. an electron tube with an anode, a cathode, and a controlling grid

tri·ol ['trī-,ȯl, -,ōl] -n

  1. a chemical compound (as glycerol) containing three hydroxyl groups

tri·o·let ['trē-ə-lət, 'trī-] -n

  1. a poem or stanza of eight lines in which the first line is repeated as the fourth and seventh and the second line as the eighth with a rhyme scheme of ABaAabAB

tri·ose ['trī-,ōs, -,ōz] -n

  1. either of two monosaccharides C 3H 6O 3containing three carbon atoms

tri·ox·ide [(,)trī-'äk-,sīd] -n

  1. an oxide containing three atoms of oxygen

trip ['trip] -vb

  1. to dance, skip, or caper with light quick steps
  2. to walk with light quick steps
  3. to catch the foot against something so as to stumble
  4. to make a mistake or false step (as in morality or accuracy)
  5. to stumble in articulation when speaking
  6. to make a journey
  7. to actuate a mechanism
  8. to become operative
  9. to get high on a psychedelic drug (as LSD) : turn on often used with out
  10. freak
  11. to cause to stumble often used with up
  12. to cause to fail : obstruct often used with up
  13. to detect in a misstep, fault, or blunder
  14. expose usu. used with up
  15. to perform (as a dance) lightly or nimbly
  16. to raise (an anchor) from the bottom so as to hang free
  17. to pull (a yard) into a perpendicular position for lowering
  18. to hoist (a topmast) far enough to enable the fid to be withdrawn preparatory to housing or lowering
  19. to release or operate (a mechanism) esp. by releasing a catch or detent
    • trip the fire alarm
  20. a stroke or catch by which a wrestler is made to lose footing
  21. voyage, journey
  22. a single round or tour on a business errand
  23. error, misstep
  24. a quick light step
  25. a faltering step caused by stumbling
  26. the action of tripping mechanically
  27. a device for tripping a mechanism (as a catch or detent)
  28. an intense visionary experience undergone by a person who has taken a psychedelic drug (as LSD)
  29. an exciting or unusual experience
    • the party was a trip
  30. absorption in or obsession with an interest, attitude, or state of mind
    • a guilt trip
    • on a nostalgia trip
  31. scene, lifestyle

tri·pack ['trī-,pak] -n

  1. a combination of three superposed films or emulsions each sensitive to a different primary color for simultaneous exposure in one camera

tri·par·tite [(,)trī-'pär-,tīt] -adj

  1. divided into or composed of three parts
  2. having three corresponding parts or copies
  3. made between or involving three parties
    • a tripartite treaty

tripe ['trīp] -n

  1. stomach tissue esp. of a ruminant (as an ox) used as food
  2. something poor, worthless, or offensive

tripham·mer ['trip-,ha-mər] -n

  1. a massive power hammer having a head that is tripped and allowed to fall by cam or lever action

triphammer -adj

  1. suggesting a trip-hammer in loud pounding or persistent action

tri·phe·nyl·meth·ane [,trī-,fe-nᵊl-'me-,thān, -,fē-] -n

  1. a crystalline hydrocarbon CH(C 6H 5) 3that is the parent compound of many dyes

triphop ['trip-,häp] -n

  1. electronic dance music usu. based on a slow hip-hop beat and incorporating hypnotic synthesized and prerecorded sounds

tri·phos·phate [(,)trī-'fäs-,fāt] -n

  1. a salt or acid that contains three phosphate groups

tri·phos·pho·pyr·i·dine nucleotide [,trī-,fäs-fō-'pir-ə-,dēn-] -n

  1. nadp

triph·thong ['trif-,thȯŋ, 'trip-] -n, adj

  1. a phonological unit consisting of three successive vocalic sounds in one syllable
  2. trigraph

tri·pin·nate [(,)trī-'pi-,nāt] -adj, adv

  1. bipinnate with each division pinnate

tri·plane ['trī-,plān] -n

  1. an airplane with three main supporting surfaces superposed

tri·ple ['tri-pəl] -vb

  1. to make three times as great or as many
  2. to score (a base runner) by a triple
  3. to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a triple
  4. to become three times as great or as numerous
    • their profits tripled last year
  5. to make a triple in baseball

triple -n

  1. a triple sum, quantity, or number
  2. a combination, group, or series of three
  3. a base hit that allows the batter to reach third base safely
  4. trifecta
  5. being three times as great or as many
  6. having or involving three units or members
    • triple bypass heart surgery
  7. having a threefold relation or character
    • worked as a double or even triple agent -- Time
  8. three times repeated : treble
  9. having three full revolutions
    • a triple somersault
    • a triple lutz
  10. marked by three beats per musical measure
    • triple meter
  11. having units of three components
    • triple feet
  12. involving correspondence of three syllables (as in unfortunate-importunate)

triple bogey -n, vt

  1. a golf score of three strokes over par on a hole

triple bond -n

  1. a chemical bond in which three pairs of electrons are shared by two atoms in a molecule

triple counterpoint -n

  1. three-part musical counterpoint so written that any part may be transposed above or below any other

Triple Crown -n

  1. an unofficial title in horse racing representing the championship achieved by a horse that wins the three classic races for a designated category
  2. the unofficial title signifying the achievement of a baseball player who at the end of a season leads the league in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in
  3. a set of three noteworthy awards, wins, or achievements in a particular field

tri·pledeck·er [,tri-pəl-'de-kər] -n

  1. : something having three basic components or levels: as
  2. trilogy
  3. a sandwich consisting of three pieces of bread and two layers of filling
  4. a 3-story dwelling with an apartment on each floor

tri·pledou·ble [-'də-bəl] -n

  1. an instance of a player accumulating 10 or more points, assists, and rebounds in one basketball game

tri·plehead·er [-'he-dər] -n

  1. a program consisting of three consecutive games, contests, or events

triple jump -n

  1. a jump for distance in track-and-field athletics usu. from a running start and combining a hop, a stride, and a jump in succession

triple play -n

  1. a play in baseball by which three players are put out

triple point -n

  1. the condition of temperature and pressure under which the gaseous, liquid, and solid phases of a substance can exist in equilibrium

triple sec [-'sek] -n

  1. a colorless orange-flavored liqueur

tri·plespace [,tri-pəl-'spās] -vt

  1. to type (text) leaving two blank lines between lines of copy
  2. to type on every third line

trip·let ['tri-plət] -n

  1. a unit of three lines of verse
  2. a combination, set, or group of three
  3. a group of three elementary particles (as positive, negative, and neutral pions) with different charge states but otherwise similar properties
  4. an atom or molecule with an even number of electrons that have a net magnetic moment
  5. codon
  6. one of three children or offspring born at one birth
  7. a group of three musical notes or tones performed in the time of two of the same value

tri·ple·tail ['tri-pəl-,tāl] -n

  1. a large marine bony fish ( Lobotes surinamensisof the family Lobotidae) of warm and tropical waters that has long dorsal and anal fins which extend backward and together with the caudal fin appear like a 3-lobed tail

tri·pleteam [-,tēm] -vt, n

  1. to block or guard (an opponent) with three players at one time

triple threat -n, adj

  1. a football player adept at running, kicking, and passing
  2. a person adept in three different fields of activity

tri·pletongue [,tri-pəl-'təŋ] -vi

  1. to articulate the notes of triplets in fast tempo on a wind instrument by using the tongue positions esp. for t, k, tfor the notes of each successive triplet

tri·plex ['tri-,pleks, 'trī-] -n

  1. something (as an apartment) that is triplex

triplex -adj

  1. threefold, triple
    • triplex windows
  2. having three apartments, floors, or sections
    • triplex buildings
    • triplex apartments
    • a triplex theater

trip·li·cate ['tri-pli-kət] -adj

  1. consisting of or existing in three corresponding or identical parts or examples
    • triplicate invoices
  2. to make triple or threefold
  3. to prepare in triplicate
    • triplicate the forms
  4. three copies all alike used with in
    • typed in triplicate

tri·plic·i·ty [tri-'pli-sə-tē, trī-] -n

  1. one of the groups of three signs each distant 120 degrees from the other two into which the signs of the zodiac are divided called also trigon
  2. the quality or state of being triple or threefold

trip·lo·blas·tic [,tri-plō-'blas-tik] -adj

  1. having three primary germ layers

trip·loid ['tri-,plȯid] -adj, n

  1. having or being a chromosome number three times the monoploid number

tri·ply ['tri-p(ə-)lē] -adv

  1. in a triple degree, amount, or manner

tri·pod ['trī-,päd] -n, adj

  1. a vessel (as a cauldron) resting on three legs
  2. a stool, table, or altar with three legs
  3. a three-legged stand (as for a camera)

trip·o·li ['tri-pə-lē] -n

  1. an earth consisting of very friable soft schistose deposits of silica and including diatomite and kieselguhr
  2. an earth consisting of friable dustlike silica not of diatomaceous origin

tri·pos ['trī-,päs] -n

  1. tripod
  2. a final honors examination at Cambridge university orig. in mathematics

trip·per ['tri-pər] -n

  1. one that takes a trip : tourist
  2. a tripping device (as for operating a railroad signal)

trip·ping·ly ['tri-piŋ-lē] -adv

  1. in a nimble or lively manner
    • the new name...may not roll trippingly off the tongue -- P. B. Carroll

trip·py ['tri-pē] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or suggestive of a trip on psychedelic drugs or the culture associated with such drugs
    • trippy music
    • a trippy experience

trip·tan ['trip-,tan, -tən] -n

  1. any of a class of drugs (as sumatriptan) that bind to and are agonists of serotonin receptors and are used to treat migraine attacks

trip·tych ['trip-(,)tik] -n

  1. an ancient Roman writing tablet with three waxed leaves hinged together
  2. a picture (as an altarpiece) or carving in three panels side by side
  3. something composed or presented in three parts or sections
  4. trilogy

trip wire -n

  1. a low-placed concealed wire used esp. in warfare to trip an enemy or trespasser and usu. to trigger an alarm or explosive device when moved
  2. something (as a small military force) intended to function like a trip wire (as to set a larger military force in motion)

tri·ra·di·ate [(,)trī-'rā-dē-ət, -dē-,āt] -adj

  1. having three rays or radiating branches
    • a triradiate sponge spicule

tri·reme ['trī-,rēm] -n

  1. an ancient galley having three banks of oars

tri·sac·cha·ride [(,)trī-'sa-kə-,rīd] -n

  1. a sugar that yields on complete hydrolysis three monosaccharide molecules

tri·sect ['trī-,sekt, trī-'] -vt, n

  1. to divide into three usu. equal parts

tri·shaw ['trī-,shȯ] -n

  1. pedicab

tris·kai·deka·pho·bia [,tris-,kī-,de-kə-'fō-bē-ə, ,tris-kə-] -n

  1. fear of the number 13

tri·skel·i·on [trī-'ske-lē-ən, tri-] -n

  1. a figure composed of three usu. curved or bent branches radiating from a center

tris·mus ['triz-məs] -n

  1. involuntary contraction of the muscles of mastication (as in tetanus or Parkinson's disease)
  2. lockjaw

tris·oc·ta·he·dron [,tri-,säk-tə-'hē-drən] -n

  1. a solid (as a crystal) having 24 congruent faces meeting on the edges of a regular octahedron

tri·so·di·um phosphate [,trī-'sō-dē-əm-] -n

  1. a crystalline compound Na 3PO 4that is used esp. in cleaning compositions

tri·so·my ['trī-,sō-mē] -n, adj or n

  1. the condition (as in Down syndrome) of having one or a few chromosomes triploid in an otherwise diploid set

tri·so·my 21 ['trī-,sō-mē-,twen-tē-'wən] -n

  1. Down syndrome

Tris·tan ['tris-tən, -,tän, -,tan] -n

  1. tristram

tri·state ['trī-'stāt, -,stāt] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of three adjoining states
    • the tristate area

triste ['trēst] -adj

  1. sad, mournful
  2. wistful

tri·stea·rin [(,)trī-'stē-ə-rən, -'stir-ən] -n

  1. a crystallizable triglyceride C 57H 110O 6of stearic acid found esp. in hard fats

tris·te·za [tri-'stā-zə] -n

  1. a highly infectious disease of citrus trees grafted on sour orange rootstocks that is caused by a single-stranded RNA virus (species Citrus tristeza virusof the genus Closterovirus,family Closteroviridae) transmitted by aphids and that eventually causes death of the trees

trist·ful ['trist-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. sad, melancholy

tri·stim·u·lus [(,)trī-'stim-yə-ləs] -adj

  1. of or relating to values giving the amounts of the three colored lights red, green, and blue that when combined additively produce a match for the color being considered

Tris·tram ['tris-trəm] -n

  1. the lover of Isolde of Ireland and husband of Isolde of Brittany in medieval legend

tri·sub·sti·tut·ed ['trī-'səb-stə-,tü-təd, -,tyü-] -adj

  1. having three substituent atoms or groups in the molecule

tri·sul·fide [-'səl-,fīd] -n

  1. a compound of an element or radical with three atoms of sulfur

tri·syl·lab·ic [,trī-sə-'la-bik] -adj

  1. having three syllables
    • a trisyllabic word

tri·syl·la·ble ['trī-,si-lə-bəl, (,)trī-'] -n

  1. a word of three syllables

trite ['trīt] -adj, adv, n

  1. hackneyed or boring from much use : not fresh or original

tri·the·ism ['trī-thē-,i-zəm] -n, n or adj, adj

  1. the doctrine that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three distinct Gods

tri·thing ['trī-th] -n

  1. riding

tri·ti·at·ed ['tri-tē-,ā-təd, 'tri-shē-] -adj

  1. containing and esp. labeled with tritium

trit·i·ca·le [,tri-tə-'kā-lē] -n

  1. an amphidiploid hybrid between wheat and rye having protein-rich grain
  2. its grain

tri·ti·um ['tri-tē-əm, 'tri-shē-] -n

  1. a radioactive isotope of hydrogen that has one proton and two neutrons in its nucleus and that has three times the mass of ordinary hydrogen symbol T

trit·o·ma ['tri-tə-mə] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Kniphofia) of African herbs of the lily family that are often grown for their spikes of showy red or yellow flowers

tri·ton ['trī-tᵊn] -n

  1. a son of Poseidon described as a demigod of the sea with the lower part of his body like that of a fish
  2. any of various large marine gastropod mollusks (family Ranellidae syn. Cymatiidae) with a heavy elongated conical shell
  3. the shell
  4. the nucleus of tritium

tri·tone ['trī-,tōn] -n

  1. a musical interval of three whole steps

trit·u·rate ['tri-chə-,rāt] -vt, adj, n

  1. crush, grind
  2. to pulverize and comminute thoroughly by rubbing or grinding
  3. a triturated substance : trituration

trit·u·ra·tion [,tri-chə-'rā-shən] -n

  1. the act or process of triturating : the state of being triturated : comminution
  2. a triturated medicinal powder made by triturating a substance with a diluent

tri·umph ['trī-əm(p)f] -n, adj

  1. a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy
  2. the joy or exultation of victory or success
  3. a victory or conquest by or as if by military force
  4. a notable success
    • the party was a triumph

triumph -vi

  1. to obtain victory : prevail
  2. to receive the honor of a triumph
  3. to celebrate victory or success boastfully or exultingly

tri·um·phal·ism [trī-'əm(p)-fə-,li-zəm] -n, n or adj

  1. : an attitude or feeling of victory or superiority: as
  2. the attitude that one religious creed is superior to all others
  3. smug or boastful pride in the success or dominance of one's nation or ideology over others

tri·um·phant [trī-'əm(p)-fənt] -adj, adv

  1. victorious, conquering
    • triumphant armies
  2. of or relating to a triumph
  3. rejoicing for or celebrating victory
    • a triumphant shout
  4. notably successful
    • a triumphant performance

tri·um·vir [trī-'əm-vər] -n

  1. one of a commission or ruling body of three

tri·um·vi·rate [trī-'əm-və-rət] -n

  1. a body of triumvirs
  2. the office or government of triumvirs
  3. a group or association of three

tri·une ['trī-,yün] -n

  1. trinity

triune -adj

  1. : three in one:
  2. of or relating to the Trinity
    • the triune God
  3. consisting of three parts, members, or aspects

tri·va·lent [(,)trī-'vā-lənt] -adj

  1. having a chemical valence of three
  2. conferring immunity to three different pathogenic strains or species
    • a trivalent influenza vaccine

triv·et ['tri-vət] -n

  1. a three-legged stand : tripod
  2. a usu. metal stand with short feet for use under a hot dish

triv·ia ['tri-vē-ə] -n pl but sing or pl in constr

  1. unimportant matters : trivial facts or details
  2. a quizzing game involving obscure facts

triv·i·al ['tri-vē-əl] -adj, n, adv

  1. commonplace, ordinary
  2. of little worth or importance
    • a trivial objection
    • trivial problems
  3. relating to or being the mathematically simplest case
  4. characterized by having all variables equal to zero
    • a trivial solution to a linear equation
  5. specific

triv·i·al·ise ['tri-vē-ə-,līz] -vt, n

(variant of trivialize)

  1. to make trivial : reduce to triviality

triv·i·al·i·ty [,tri-vē-'a-lə-tē] -n

  1. the quality or state of being trivial
  2. something trivial : trifle

triv·i·al·ize ['tri-vē-ə-,līz] -vt, n

  1. to make trivial : reduce to triviality

trivial name -n

  1. specific epithet
  2. a common or vernacular name of an organism or chemical

triv·i·um ['tri-vē-əm] -n

  1. a group of studies consisting of grammar, rhetoric, and logic and forming the lower division of the seven liberal arts in medieval universities

tri·week·ly [(,)trī-'wē-klē] -adj, adv

  1. occurring or appearing three times a week
  2. occurring or appearing every three weeks

triweekly -n

  1. a triweekly publication

tRNA [,tē-,är-,en-'ā, 'tē-,är-,en-,ā] -n

  1. transfer rna

tro·car ['trō-,kär] -n

  1. a sharp-pointed surgical instrument fitted with a cannula and used esp. to insert the cannula into a body cavity as a drainage outlet

tro·cha·ic [trō-'kā-ik] -adj, n

  1. of, relating to, or consisting of trochees

tro·chan·ter [trō-'kan-tər] -n, adj

  1. a rough prominence at the upper part of the femur of many vertebrates serving usu. for the attachment of muscles
  2. the second segment of an insect's leg adjacent to the coxa

tro·che ['trō-kē, Brit usu 'trōsh] -n

  1. lozenge

tro·chee ['trō-(,)kē] -n

  1. a metrical foot consisting of one long syllable followed by one short syllable or of one stressed syllable followed by one unstressed syllable (as in apple)

troch·lea ['trä-klē-ə] -n

  1. an anatomical structure that is held to resemble a pulley
  2. the articular surface on the medial condyle of the humerus that articulates with the ulna

troch·le·ar [-ər] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or being a trochlea
  2. of, relating to, or being a trochlear nerve

trochlear nerve -n

  1. either of the fourth pair of cranial nerves that supply some of the eye muscles with motor fibers called also trochlear

tro·choid ['trō-,kȯid, 'trä-,kȯid] -n, adj

  1. the curve generated by a point on the radius of a circle or the radius extended as the circle rolls on a fixed straight line

trocho·phore ['trä-kə-,fȯr] -n

  1. a free-swimming ciliate larva occurring in several invertebrate groups (as the polychaete worms and mollusks)

trod ['tred] -vb, n

(variant of tread)

  1. to step or walk on or over
  2. to walk or proceed along : follow
    • tread ing a fine line between tradition and innovation
  3. to beat or press with the feet : trample
  4. to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush
  5. to copulate with used of a male bird
  6. to form by treading : beat
    • tread a path
  7. to execute by stepping or dancing
    • tread a measure
  8. to move or proceed on or as if on foot
    • must tread lightly
  9. to set foot
    • has gone where others fear to tread
  10. to put one's foot : step
    • carelessly tread ing on the flowers
  11. copulate
  12. a mark (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading
  13. the action of treading
  14. an act or instance of treading : step
  15. manner of stepping
  16. the sound of treading
  17. the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground
  18. the pattern on the bottom of a sole
  19. the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail
  20. the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire
  21. the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
  22. the upper horizontal part of a step
  23. the width of such a tread

trodden ['tred] -vb, n

(variant of tread)

  1. to step or walk on or over
  2. to walk or proceed along : follow
    • tread ing a fine line between tradition and innovation
  3. to beat or press with the feet : trample
  4. to subdue or repress as if by trampling : crush
  5. to copulate with used of a male bird
  6. to form by treading : beat
    • tread a path
  7. to execute by stepping or dancing
    • tread a measure
  8. to move or proceed on or as if on foot
    • must tread lightly
  9. to set foot
    • has gone where others fear to tread
  10. to put one's foot : step
    • carelessly tread ing on the flowers
  11. copulate
  12. a mark (as a footprint or the imprint of a tire) made by or as if by treading
  13. the action of treading
  14. an act or instance of treading : step
  15. manner of stepping
  16. the sound of treading
  17. the part of a shoe or boot sole that touches the ground
  18. the pattern on the bottom of a sole
  19. the part of a wheel or tire that makes contact with a road or rail
  20. the pattern of ridges or grooves made or cut in the face of a tire
  21. the distance between the points of contact with the ground of the two front wheels or the two rear wheels of a vehicle
  22. the upper horizontal part of a step
  23. the width of such a tread

trof·fer ['trä-fər, 'trȯ-] -n

  1. an inverted trough serving as a support and reflector usu. for a fluorescent lighting unit

trog·lo·dyte ['trä-glə-,dīt] -n, adj

  1. a member of any of various peoples (as in antiquity) who lived or were reputed to live chiefly in caves
  2. a person characterized by reclusive habits or outmoded or reactionary attitudes

tro·gon ['trō-,gän] -n

  1. any of numerous nonpasserine tropical birds (family Trogonidae) with brilliant often iridescent plumage

troi·ka ['trȯi-kə] -n

  1. a Russian vehicle drawn by three horses abreast
  2. a team for such a vehicle
  3. a group of three
  4. an administrative or ruling body of three

troi·lite ['trō-ə-,līt, 'trȯi-,līt] -n

  1. a mineral that is a variety of pyrrhotite and that is widely but sparsely distributed (as on earth, in meteorites, and in lunar soil samples)

Troi·lus ['trȯi-ləs, 'trō-ə-ləs] -n

  1. a son of Priam who in medieval legend loved Cressida and lost her to Diomedes

Tro·jan ['trō-jən] -n

  1. a native or inhabitant of Troy
  2. one who shows qualities (as pluck, endurance, or determined energy) attributed to the defenders of ancient Troy
  3. a merry and often irresponsible or disreputable companion

Trojan -adj

  1. of, relating to, or resembling ancient Troy or its inhabitants
  2. of, relating to, or constituting a Trojan horse

Trojan horse -n

  1. someone or something intended to defeat or subvert from within usu. by deceptive means
  2. a seemingly useful computer program that contains concealed instructions which when activated perform an illicit or malicious action (as destroying data files)
  3. the concealed instructions of such a program

Trojan War -n

  1. a 10-year war between the Greeks and Trojans brought on by the abduction of Helen by Paris and ended with the destruction of Troy

troll ['trōl] -vb, n

  1. to cause to move round and round : roll
  2. to sing the parts of (as a round or catch) in succession
  3. to sing loudly
  4. to celebrate in song
  5. to fish for by trolling
  6. to fish by trolling in
    • troll lakes
  7. to pull through the water in trolling
    • troll a lure
  8. to search in or at
    • troll s flea markets for bargains
  9. prowl
    • troll nightclubs
  10. to move around : ramble
  11. to fish by trailing a lure or baited hook from a moving boat
  12. search, look
    • troll ing for sponsors
  13. prowl
  14. to sing or play in a jovial manner
  15. to speak rapidly
  16. a lure or a line with its lure and hook used in trolling
  17. a dwarf or giant in Scandinavian folklore inhabiting caves or hills

trol·ley ['trä-lē] -n

  1. a cart of any of various kinds
  2. a device that carries electric current from an overhead wire to an electrically driven vehicle
  3. a streetcar powered electrically through a trolley called also trolley car
  4. a wheeled carriage running on an overhead rail or track
  5. a cart or wheeled stand used for conveying something (as food or books)

trolley -vb

  1. to convey by a trolley
  2. to ride on a trolley

trol·ley·bus ['trä-lē-,bəs] -n

  1. a bus that is powered electrically by two overhead wires

trol·lop ['trä-ləp] -n

  1. a vulgar or disreputable woman
  2. one who engages in sex promiscuously or for money

Trombe wall ['trȯmb-, 'trämb-, 'trōⁿb-] -n

  1. a masonry wall that is usu. separated from the outdoors by a glass wall and is designed to absorb solar heat and release it into the interior of a building

trom·bone [träm-'bōn, (,)trəm-', 'träm-,] -n

  1. a brass instrument consisting of a long cylindrical metal tube with two turns and having a movable slide or valves for varying the tone and a usual range one octave lower than that of the trumpet

trom·mel ['trä-məl] -n

  1. a usu. cylindrical or conical revolving screen used esp. for screening or sizing rock, ore, or coal

tromp ['trämp, 'trȯmp] -vb

  1. tramp
    • a lot of knocking on doors, tromp ing from room to room -- Sara Davidson
  2. to step hard : stamp
    • tromp ed on the brake
  3. tramp
  4. stamp
    • tromp s the accelerator to the floor -- Jim Becker
  5. to give a physical beating to
  6. to defeat decisively

trompe l'oeil [(,)trȯmp-'lə-ē, trōⁿp-'lœi] -n

  1. a style of painting in which objects are depicted with photographically realistic detail
  2. the use of similar technique in interior decorating
  3. a trompe l'oeil painting or effect
  4. something that misleads or deceives the senses : illusion

tro·na ['trō-nə] -n

  1. a gray-white or yellowish-white monoclinic mineral consisting of a hydrous acid sodium carbonate

troop ['trüp] -n

  1. a group of soldiers
  2. a cavalry unit corresponding to an infantry company
  3. armed forces, soldiers
  4. a collection of people or things : crew
  5. a flock of mammals or birds
  6. the basic organizational unit of Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts under an adult leader
  7. to move or gather in crowds
  8. to go one's way : walk
  9. to spend time together : associate
  10. to move in large numbers

troop·er ['trü-pər] -n

  1. an enlisted cavalryman
  2. the horse of a cavalryman
  3. paratrooper
  4. soldier
  5. a mounted police officer
  6. a state police officer
  7. trouper

troop·ship ['trüp-,ship] -n

  1. a ship or aircraft for carrying troops : transport

trop -abbr

  1. tropical

trop- -comb form

  1. turn : turning : change
    • tropo sphere
  2. tropism
    • trop ic

trope ['trōp] -n

  1. a word or expression used in a figurative sense : figure of speech
  2. a common or overused theme or device : cliche
    • the usual horror movie trope s
  3. a phrase or verse added as an embellishment or interpolation to the sung parts of the Mass in the Middle Ages

troph- -comb form

  1. nutritive
    • tropho blast

troph·al·lax·is [,trō-fə-'lak-səs] -n

  1. exchange of food (as from special glands) between social insects (as ants or termites)

tro·phic ['trō-fik] -adj, adv

  1. of or relating to nutrition : nutritional
    • trophic disorders
  2. tropic

trophic level -n

  1. one of the hierarchical strata of a food web characterized by organisms which are the same number of steps removed from the primary producers

tro·pho·blast ['trō-fə-,blast] -n, adj

  1. the outer layer of the mammalian blastocyst that supplies nutrition to the embryo and facilitates implantation

tro·pho·zo·ite [,trō-fə-'zō-,īt] -n

  1. a protozoan of a vegetative form as distinguished from one of a reproductive or resting form

tro·phy ['trō-fē] -n, vt

  1. something gained or given in victory or conquest esp. when preserved or mounted as a memorial
  2. a memorial of an ancient Greek or Roman victory raised on the field of battle or on the nearest land for a naval victory
  3. a representation of such a memorial (as on a medal)
  4. an architectural ornament representing a group of military weapons
  5. a game animal or fish suitable for mounting as a trophy usu. used attributively
  6. one that is prized for qualities that enhance prestige or social status usu. used attributively
    • a trophy wife
    • a trophy house

trop·ic ['trä-pik] -n

  1. either of the two parallels of terrestrial latitude at a distance of about 23 degrees north or south of the equator where the sun is directly overhead when it reaches its most northerly or southerly point in the sky
  2. the region lying between the tropics

tropic -adj

  1. of, relating to, or occurring in the tropics

tro·pic ['trō-pik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or characteristic of tropism or of a tropism
  2. influencing the activity of a specified gland

trop·i·cal [for 1 'trä-pi-kəl, for 2 'trō- also 'trä-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, occurring in, or suitable for use in the tropics
    • tropical forests
    • a tropical disease
  2. of, being, or characteristic of a region or climate that is frost-free with temperatures high enough to support year-round plant growth given sufficient moisture
    • tropical Florida
  3. figurative

tropical aquarium -n

  1. an aquarium kept at a uniform warmth and used esp. for tropical fish

tropical cyclone -n

  1. a cyclone originating in the tropics
  2. hurricane

tropical fish -n

  1. any of various small usu. showy fishes of tropical origin often kept in a tropical aquarium

trop·i·cal·ize ['trä-pi-kə-,līz] -vt

  1. to make tropical (as in character, conditions, or appearance)
  2. to fit or adapt for use in a tropical climate esp. by measures designed to combat the effects of fungi and moisture

tropical oil -n

  1. any of several oils (as coconut oil and palm oil) that are high in saturated fatty acids and are used esp. in commercially prepared baked goods, snack products, and confections

tropical rain forest -n

  1. rain forest

tropical sprue -n

  1. sprue

tropical storm -n

  1. a tropical cyclone with strong winds of over 39 miles (63 kilometers) per hour but less than hurricane intensity

tropic bird -n

  1. any of a genus ( Phaethonof the family Phaethontidae) of web-footed birds that are related to the pelicans, are found chiefly in tropical seas often far from land, and have mostly white satiny plumage marked with a little black, a greatly elongated central pair of tail feathers, and a brightly colored bill

Tropic of Cancer

  1. the parallel of latitude that is approximately 23 degrees north of the equator and that is the northernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun

Tropic of Capricorn

  1. the parallel of latitude that is approximately 23 degrees south of the equator and that is the southernmost latitude reached by the overhead sun

tro·pism ['trō-,pi-zəm] -n, adj

  1. involuntary orientation by an organism or one of its parts that involves turning or curving by movement or by differential growth and is a positive or negative response to a source of stimulation
  2. a reflex reaction involving a tropism
  3. an innate tendency to react in a definite manner to stimuli
  4. a natural inclination : propensity
    • encouraged his tropism toward the theatrical -- John Updike

tro·po·col·la·gen [,trä-pə-'kä-lə-jən, ,trō-] -n

  1. a subunit of collagen fibrils consisting of three polypeptide strands arranged in a helix

tro·po·log·i·cal [,trō-pə-'lä-ji-kəl, ,trä-] -adj, adv

  1. of, relating to, or involving biblical interpretation stressing moral metaphor
  2. moral
  3. characterized or varied by tropes : figurative

tropo·my·o·sin [,trä-pə-'mī-ə-sən, ,trō-] -n

  1. a protein of muscle that forms a complex with troponin regulating the interaction of actin and myosin in muscular contraction

tro·po·nin ['trō-pə-nən, 'trä-, -,nin] -n

  1. a protein of muscle that together with tropomyosin forms a regulatory protein complex controlling the interaction of actin and myosin and that when combined with calcium ions permits muscular contraction

tro·po·pause ['trō-pə-,pȯz, 'trä-] -n

  1. the region at the top of the troposphere
  2. a comparable layer of a celestial body

tro·po·sphere ['trō-pə-,sfir, 'trä-] -n, adj

  1. the lowest densest part of the earth's atmosphere in which most weather changes occur and temperature generally decreases rapidly with altitude and which extends from the earth's surface to the bottom of the stratosphere

tro·po·tax·is [,trō-pə-'tak-səs, ,trä-] -n

  1. a taxis in which an organism orients itself by the simultaneous comparison of stimuli of different intensity acting on separate end organs

trot ['trät] -n

  1. a moderately fast gait of a quadruped (as a horse) in which the legs move in diagonal pairs
  2. a jogging gait of a human that falls between a walk and a run
  3. a ride on horseback
  4. an old woman
  5. a literal translation of a foreign text
  6. diarrhea used with the
  7. to ride, drive, or proceed at a trot
    • the fox trotted over the knoll
  8. to proceed briskly : hurry
  9. to cause to go at a trot
  10. to traverse at a trot
  11. trotline
  12. one of the short lines with hooks that are attached to a trotline at intervals

Trot ['trät] -n

  1. an adherent of Trotskyism : Trotskyist, Trotskyite

troth ['träth, 'trȯth, 'trōth, or with th] -n

  1. loyal or pledged faithfulness : fidelity
    • pledged my troth
  2. one's pledged word
    • I don't remember the details or, by my troth, even the gist -- Stanley Elkin
  3. betrothal
  4. pledge, betroth

troth·plight ['träth-,plīt, 'trȯth-, 'trōth-] -vt

  1. betroth

trothplight -n

  1. betrothal

trot·line ['trät-,līn] -n

  1. setline
  2. a comparatively short setline used near shore or along streams

trot out -vt

  1. to lead out and show the paces of (as a horse)
  2. to bring forward for display or use
    • trotted out a new excuse

Trots·ky·ism ['trät-skē-,i-zəm, 'trȯt-] -n, n or adj

  1. the political, economic, and social principles advocated by Trotsky
  2. the theory and practice of communism developed by or associated with Trotsky and usu. including adherence to the concept of worldwide revolution as opposed to socialism in one country

trot·ter ['trä-tər] -n

  1. one that trots
  2. a standardbred horse trained for harness racing
  3. a pig's foot used as food

trou·ba·dour ['trü-bə-,dȯr, -,du̇r] -n

  1. one of a class of lyric poets and poet-musicians often of knightly rank who flourished from the 11th to the end of the 13th century chiefly in the south of France and the north of Italy and whose major theme was courtly love
  2. a singer esp. of folk songs

trou·ble ['trə-bəl] -vb, n

  1. to agitate mentally or spiritually : worry, disturb
  2. mistreat, oppress
  3. to produce physical disorder in : afflict
    • troubled by a cold
  4. to put to exertion or inconvenience
    • I'm sorry to trouble you
  5. to put into confused motion
    • the wind troubled the sea
  6. to become mentally agitated : worry
    • refused to trouble over trifles
  7. to make an effort : be at pains
    • did not trouble to come

trouble -n

  1. the quality or state of being troubled esp. mentally
  2. public unrest or disturbance
    • there's trouble brewing downtown
  3. an instance of trouble
    • used to disguise her frustrations and despair by making light of her trouble s -- Current Biog.
  4. : a state or condition of distress, annoyance, or difficulty
    • in trouble with the law
    • heading for trouble
    • got into financial trouble
    : as
  5. a condition of physical distress or ill health : ailment
    • back trouble
    • heart trouble
  6. a condition of mechanical malfunction
    • engine trouble
  7. a condition of doing something badly or only with great difficulty
    • has trouble reading
    • has trouble breathing
  8. pregnancy out of wedlock
    • got a girl in trouble
  9. an effort made : pains
    • took the trouble to do it right
  10. a cause of distress, annoyance, or inconvenience
    • don't mean to be any trouble
    • what's the trouble?
  11. a negative feature : drawback
    • the trouble with you is you're too honest
    • the main trouble with electronic systems is the overreliance on them -- John Perham
  12. the unhappy or sad fact
    • the trouble is, I need the money

troubled -adj

  1. concerned, worried
    • troubled feelings about the decision
  2. exhibiting emotional or behavioral problems
    • a program for troubled youth
  3. characterized by or indicative of trouble
    • our troubled cities
    • a gray and troubled sky

trou·ble·mak·er ['trə-bəl-,mā-kər] -n, adj or n

  1. a person who consciously or unconsciously causes trouble

trou·ble·shoot [-,shüt] -vb

  1. to operate or serve as a troubleshooter
    • is troubleshoot ing for an electronics firm
  2. to investigate or deal with in the role of troubleshooter
    • troubleshoot s TV receivers
    • troubleshoot a problem

trou·ble·shoot·er [-,shü-tər] -n

  1. a skilled worker employed to locate trouble and make repairs in machinery and technical equipment
  2. an expert in resolving diplomatic or political disputes : a mediator of disputes that are at an impasse
  3. a person skilled at solving or anticipating problems or difficulties

trou·ble·some [-səm] -adj, adv, n

  1. difficult, burdensome
  2. giving trouble or anxiety : vexatious
    • troublesome news

trou·blous ['trə-b(ə-)ləs] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of trouble : stormy
    • these troublous times
  2. causing trouble : troublesome
    • inflation is a troublous matter

trough ['trȯf, 'trȯth, by bakers often 'trō] -n

  1. a long shallow often V-shaped receptacle for the drinking water or feed of domestic animals
  2. any of various domestic or industrial containers
  3. a conduit, drain, or channel for water
  4. a gutter along the eaves of a building
  5. a long and narrow or shallow channel or depression (as between waves or hills)
  6. a long but shallow depression in the bed of the sea
  7. : the minimum point of a complete cycle of a periodic function: as
  8. an elongated area of low barometric pressure
  9. the low point in a business cycle

trounce ['trau̇n(t)s] -vt

  1. to thrash or punish severely
  2. to defeat decisively

troupe ['trüp] -n

  1. company, troop
  2. a group of theatrical performers
  3. to travel in a troupe
  4. to perform as a member of a theatrical troupe

troup·er ['trü-pər] -n

  1. a member of a troupe
  2. actor
  3. a person who deals with and persists through difficulty or hardship without complaint
    • you're a real trouper to wait so long

trou·pi·al ['trü-pē-əl] -n

  1. a large brightly colored oriole ( Icterus icterus) of Central and So. America
  2. any of various related birds (family Icteridae)

trou·ser ['trau̇-zər] -n

  1. pant usu. used in pl.

trouser -adj

  1. of, relating to, or designed for trousers
    • trouser pockets
  2. of or relating to a male dramatic role played by a woman

trouser suit -n

  1. pantsuit

trous·seau ['trü-(,)sō, trü-'] -n

  1. the personal possessions of a bride usu. including clothes, accessories, and household linens and wares

trout ['trau̇t] -n

  1. : any of various salmonid food and sport fishes that are mostly smaller than the typical salmons and are anadromous or restricted to cool clear freshwater:
  2. any of various Old or New World fishes (genera Salmoand Oncorhynchus)
  3. char
  4. any of various fishes (as the largemouth bass) held to resemble the true trouts

trout lily -n

  1. dogtooth violet

troutperch ['trau̇t-,pərch] -n

  1. a small freshwater fish ( Percopsis omiscomaycusof the family Percopsidae) chiefly of northern No. America having a scaleless head and large eyes

trouty ['trau̇-tē] -adj

  1. containing or likely to contain abundant trout
    • a trouty stream

trou·vere [trü-'ver] -n

  1. one of a school of poets who flourished from the 11th to the 14th centuries and who composed mostly narrative works (as chansons de geste and fabliaux)

trove ['trōv] -n

  1. discovery, find
  2. a valuable collection : treasure
  3. haul, collection

tro·ver ['trō-vər] -n

  1. a common law action to recover the value of goods wrongfully converted to another's own use

trow ['trō] -vb

  1. believe
  2. think

trow·el ['trau̇(-ə)l] -n

  1. any of various hand tools used to apply, spread, shape, or smooth loose or plastic material
  2. a scoop-shaped or flat-bladed garden tool for taking up and setting small plants

trowel -vt, n

  1. to smooth, mix, or apply with or as if with a trowel

troy ['trȯi] -adj

  1. expressed in troy weight

troy weight -n

  1. a series of units of weight based on a pound of 12 ounces and an ounce of 480 grains

tru·an·cy ['trü-ən(t)-sē] -n

  1. an act or instance of playing truant : the state of being truant

tru·ant ['trü-ənt] -n

  1. one who shirks duty
  2. one who stays out of school without permission

truant -adj

  1. shirking responsibility
  2. being, resembling, or characteristic of a truant
  3. to idle away time esp. while playing truant

truant officer -n

  1. a person employed by a public-school system to investigate the continued absences of pupils called also attendance officer truancy officer

tru·ant·ry ['trü-ən-trē] -n

  1. truancy

truce ['trüs] -n

  1. a suspension of fighting esp. of considerable duration by agreement of opposing forces : armistice, cease-fire
  2. a respite esp. from a disagreeable or painful state or action
  3. to make a truce
  4. to end with a truce

truck ['trək] -vb

  1. to give in exchange : swap
  2. to barter or dispose of by barter
  3. to exchange commodities : barter
  4. to negotiate or traffic esp. in an underhanded way : have dealings
  5. barter
  6. commodities appropriate for barter or for small trade
  7. close association or connection
    • will have no truck with crooks
  8. payment of wages in goods instead of cash
  9. vegetables grown for market
  10. heterogeneous small articles often of little value
  11. rubbish
  12. a small wheel
  13. a small strong wheel for a gun carriage
  14. a small wooden cap at the top of a flagstaff or masthead usu. having holes for reeving flag or signal halyards
  15. : a wheeled vehicle for moving heavy articles: as
  16. a strong horse-drawn or automotive vehicle (as a pickup) for hauling
  17. a small barrow consisting of a rectangular frame having at one end a pair of handles and at the other end a pair of small heavy wheels and a projecting edge to slide under a load called also hand truck
  18. a small heavy rectangular frame supported on four wheels for moving heavy objects
  19. a small flat-topped car pushed or pulled by hand
  20. a shelved stand mounted on casters
  21. an automotive vehicle with a short chassis equipped with a swivel for attaching a trailer and used esp. for the highway hauling of freight
  22. a truck with attached trailer
  23. an open railroad freight car
  24. a swiveling carriage consisting of a frame with one or more pairs of wheels and springs to carry and guide one end (as of a railroad car) in turning sharp curves
  25. to load or transport on a truck
  26. to transport goods by truck
  27. to be employed in driving a truck
  28. to roll along esp. in an easy untroubled way

truck·er ['trə-kər] -n

  1. one that barters
  2. peddler

trucker -n

  1. a person whose business is transporting goods by truck
  2. a truck driver

truck farm -n

  1. a farm devoted to the production of vegetables for the market

truck·ing ['trə-kiŋ] -n

  1. the process or business of transporting goods on trucks

truck·le ['trə-kəl] -vi, n

  1. to act in a subservient manner : submit

truckle bed -n

  1. trundle bed

truck·line ['trək-,līn] -n

  1. a transportation line using trucks

truck·load [-'lōd, -,lōd] -n

  1. a load or amount that fills or could fill a truck
  2. the minimum weight required for shipping at truckload rates
  3. a large amount
    • truckload s of money

truck·man [-mən] -n

  1. trucker
  2. a member of a fire department unit that operates a hook and ladder truck

truck·mas·ter [-,mas-tər] -n

  1. an officer in charge of trade with American Indians esp. among the early settlers

truck stop -n

  1. a facility esp. for truckers that is usu. by a highway and that includes a diner, fuel pumps, and a garage

truck system -n

  1. the system of paying wages in goods instead of cash

tru·cu·lence ['trə-kyə-lən(t)s also 'trü-] -n

  1. the quality or state of being truculent

tru·cu·len·cy [-lən(t)-sē] -n

  1. truculence

tru·cu·lent [-lənt] -adj, adv

  1. feeling or displaying ferocity : cruel, savage
  2. deadly, destructive
  3. scathingly harsh : vitriolic
    • truculent criticism
  4. aggressively self-assertive : belligerent

trudge ['trəj] -vb, n

  1. to walk or march steadily and usu. laboriously
    • trudged through deep snow
  2. to trudge along or over
  3. a long tiring walk : tramp

trud·gen stroke ['trə-jən-] -n

  1. a swimming stroke consisting of alternating overarm strokes and a scissors kick

true ['trü] -adj, n

  1. steadfast, loyal
  2. honest, just
  3. truthful
  4. being in accordance with the actual state of affairs
    • true description
  5. conformable to an essential reality
  6. fully realized or fulfilled
    • dreams come true
  7. ideal, essential
  8. being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed
    • the true dimension of the problem
  9. consistent
    • true to character
  10. properly so called
    • true love
    • the true faith
    • the true stomach of ruminant mammals
  11. possessing the basic characters of and belonging to the same natural group as
    • a whale is a true but not a typical mammal
  12. typical
    • the true cats
  13. legitimate, rightful
    • our true and lawful king
  14. that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately
  15. conformable to a standard or pattern : accurate
  16. determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles
    • true north
  17. logically necessary
  18. narrow, strict
    • in the truest sense
  19. corrected for error
  20. in accordance with fact or reality
  21. without deviation
    • the bullet flew straight and true
  22. without variation from type
    • breed true
  23. truth, reality usu. used with the
  24. the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment) used in the phrases in true and out of true
  25. to make level, square, balanced, or concentric : bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or form
    • true up a board
    • true up an engine cylinder

true believer -n

  1. a person who professes absolute belief in something
  2. a zealous supporter of a particular cause

true bill -n

  1. a bill of indictment endorsed by a grand jury as warranting prosecution of the accused

trueblue -adj

  1. marked by unswerving loyalty (as to a party)
  2. genuine
    • a trueblue romantic

true blue -n

  1. a person who is true-blue

true·born ['trü-'bȯrn] -adj

  1. genuinely such by birth
    • a trueborn Englishman -- Shak.

true bug -n

  1. bug

truefalse test ['trü-'fȯls-] -n

  1. a test consisting of a series of statements to be marked as true or false

true·heart·ed [-'här-təd] -adj, n

  1. faithful, loyal
    • a truehearted soldier

truelife ['trü-'līf] -adj

  1. true to life
    • a truelife story

true·love ['trü-,ləv] -n

  1. one truly beloved or loving : sweetheart

true lover's knot -n

  1. a complicated ornamental knot not readily untied and symbolic of mutual love called also truelove knot

true·pen·ny ['trü-,pe-nē] -n

  1. an honest or trusty person

true porcelain -n

  1. porcelain

true rib -n

  1. any of the ribs having costal cartilages connected directly with the sternum and in humans constituting the first seven pairs

true seal -n

  1. hair seal

truf·fle ['trə-fəl, 'trü-] -n

  1. the dark or light edible subterranean fruiting body of several European ascomycetous fungi (esp. genus Tuber)
  2. any of various similar fruiting bodies of related fungi
  3. a fungus that produces truffles
  4. a candy made of chocolate, butter, sugar, and sometimes liqueur shaped into balls and often coated with cocoa

truf·fled [-fəld] -adj

  1. cooked, stuffed, or garnished with truffles

trug ['trəg] -n

  1. a shallow rectangular gardening basket

tru·ism ['trü-,i-zəm] -n, adj

  1. an undoubted or self-evident truth
  2. one too obvious for mention

trull ['trəl] -n

  1. prostitute, strumpet

tru·ly ['trü-lē] -adv

  1. indeed often used as an intensive
    • truly, she is fair
    or interjectionally to express astonishment or doubt
  2. without feigning, falsity, or inaccuracy in truth or fact
  3. in all sincerity : sincerely often used with yours as a complimentary close
  4. in agreement with fact : truthfully
  5. with exactness of construction or operation
  6. in a proper or suitable manner

trump ['trəmp] -n

  1. trumpet
  2. jew's harp
  3. a sound of or as if of trumpeting
    • the trump of doom
  4. a card of a suit any of whose cards will win over a card that is not of this suit called also trump card
  5. the suit whose cards are trumps for a particular hand often used in pl.
  6. a decisive overriding factor or final resource called also trump card
  7. a dependable and exemplary person
  8. to get the better of : override
    • where ambition invariably trump s loyalty -- Michael Kramer
  9. to play a trump on (a card or trick) when another suit was led
  10. to play a trump when another suit was led

trumpedup ['trəm(p)t-'əp] -adj

  1. fraudulently concocted : spurious
    • trumpedup charges

trum·pery ['trəm-p(ə-)rē] -n, adj

  1. worthless nonsense
  2. trivial or useless articles : junk
    • a wagon loaded with household trumpery -- Washington Irving
  3. tawdry finery

trum·pet ['trəm-pət] -n, adj

  1. a wind instrument consisting of a conical or cylindrical usu. metal tube, a cup-shaped mouthpiece, and a flared bell
  2. a valved brass instrument having a cylindrical tube with two turns and a usual range from F sharp below middle C upward for 2 octaves
  3. a musical instrument (as a cornet) resembling a trumpet
  4. a trumpet player
  5. : something that resembles a trumpet or its tonal quality: as
  6. a funnel-shaped instrument (as a megaphone) for collecting, directing, or intensifying sound
  7. a stentorian voice
  8. a penetrating cry (as of an elephant)

trumpet -vi

  1. to blow a trumpet
  2. to make a sound suggestive of that of a trumpet
  3. to sound or proclaim on or as if on a trumpet
    • trumpet the news

trumpet creeper -n

  1. trumpet vine

trum·pet·er ['trəm-pə-tər] -n

  1. a trumpet player
  2. one that gives signals with a trumpet
  3. one that praises or advocates : eulogist, spokesman
  4. any of a genus ( Psophiaof the family Psophiidae) of large gregarious long-legged So. American birds that are related to the cranes and have a long thin neck usu. held close to the body
  5. any of an Asian breed of pigeons with a rounded crest and heavily feathered feet

trumpeter swan -n

  1. a rare large pure white swan ( Cygnus buccinator) of western No. America that is noted for its sonorous voice

trumpet flower -n

  1. any of various plants (as a trumpet vine or a datura) with trumpet-shaped flowers
  2. the flower of a trumpet flower

trumpet honeysuckle -n

  1. a No. American honeysuckle ( Lonicera sempervirens) with whorls of large coral-red or orange flowers having a narrow trumpet-shaped corolla

trumpet vine -n

  1. a No. American woody vine ( Campsis radicans) of the bignonia family having pinnate leaves and large typically red trumpet-shaped flowers

trump up -vt

  1. to concoct esp. with intent to deceive : fabricate, invent
  2. to cite as support for an action or claim

trun·cate ['trəŋ-,kāt, 'trən-] -adj

  1. having the end square or even
    • truncate leaves

truncate [trəŋ-'kā-shən, trən-] -vt, n

  1. to shorten by or as if by cutting off
  2. to replace (an edge or corner of a crystal) by a plane

truncated -adj

  1. having the apex replaced by a plane section and esp. by one parallel to the base
    • a truncated cone
  2. cut short : curtailed
    • a truncated schedule
  3. lacking an expected or normal element (as a syllable) at the beginning or end : catalectic

trun·cheon ['trən-chən] -n

  1. a shattered spear or lance
  2. club, bludgeon
  3. baton
  4. a police officer's billy club

truncheon -vt

  1. to beat with a truncheon

trun·dle ['trən-dᵊl] -vb, n

  1. to propel by causing to rotate : roll
    • a...child who was trundling a hoop -- Charles Dickens
  2. to cause to revolve : spin
  3. to transport in or as if in a wheeled vehicle : haul, wheel
    • trundled him off to school
  4. to progress by revolving
  5. to move on or as if on wheels : roll
    • buses trundling through the city

trundle -n

  1. the motion or sound of something rolling
  2. trundle bed
  3. a round or oval wooden tub

trundle bed -n

  1. a low bed usu. on casters that can be rolled or slid under a higher bed when not in use called also truckle bed

trun·dletail ['trən-dᵊl-,tāl] -n

  1. a curly-tailed dog

trunk ['trəŋk] -n

  1. the main stem of a tree apart from limbs and roots called also bole
  2. the human or animal body apart from the head and appendages : torso
  3. the thorax of an insect
  4. the central part of anything
  5. the shaft of a column or pilaster
  6. a large rigid piece of luggage used usu. for transporting clothing and personal effects
  7. the luggage compartment of an automobile
  8. a superstructure over a ship's hatches usu. level with the poop deck
  9. the part of the cabin of a boat projecting above the deck
  10. the housing for a centerboard or rudder
  11. proboscis
  12. the long muscular proboscis of the elephant
  13. men's shorts worn chiefly for sports
    • swimming trunk s
  14. a usu. major channel or passage (as a chute or shaft)
  15. a circuit between two telephone exchanges for making connections between subscribers
  16. a usu. electronic path over which information is transmitted (as between computer systems)
  17. the principal channel or main body of a system or part that divides into branches
    • a nerve trunk
    • the trunk of a river
  18. trunk line

trunked ['trəŋ(k)t] -adj

  1. having a trunk esp. of a specified kind usu. used in combination
    • a gray- trunked tree

trunk·fish ['trəŋk-,fish] -n

  1. any of numerous small often bright colored bony fishes (family Ostraciidae) of tropical seas with the body and head enclosed in a bony carapace

trunk hose ['trəŋk-] -n pl

  1. short full breeches reaching about halfway down the thigh that were worn chiefly in the late 16th and early 17th centuries

trunk line -n

  1. a transportation system (as an airline, railroad, or highway) handling long-distance through traffic
  2. a main supply channel (as for gas or oil)
  3. trunk

trunnel ['trə-nᵊl] -n

(variant of treenail)

  1. a wooden peg made usu. of dry compressed timber so as to swell in its hole when moistened

trun·nion ['trən-yən] -n

  1. a pin or pivot on which something can be rotated or tilted
  2. either of two opposite gudgeons on which a cannon is swiveled

truss ['trəs] -vt, n

  1. to secure tightly : bind
  2. to arrange for cooking by binding close the wings or legs of (a fowl)
  3. to support, strengthen, or stiffen by or as if by a truss
  4. an iron band around a lower mast with an attachment by which a yard is secured to the mast
  5. bracket
  6. an assemblage of members (as beams) forming a rigid framework
  7. a device worn to reduce a hernia by pressure
  8. a compact flower or fruit cluster

truss bridge -n

  1. a bridge supported mainly by trusses

truss·ing ['trə-siŋ] -n

  1. the members forming a truss
  2. the trusses and framework of a structure

trust ['trəst] -n

  1. assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
  2. one in which confidence is placed
  3. dependence on something future or contingent : hope
  4. reliance on future payment for property (as merchandise) delivered : credit
    • bought furniture on trust
  5. a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another
  6. a combination of firms or corporations formed by a legal agreement
  7. one that reduces or threatens to reduce competition
  8. trustworthiness
  9. a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
  10. something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another
  11. responsible charge or office
  12. care, custody
    • the child committed to her trust
  13. to place confidence : depend
    • trust in God
    • trust to luck
  14. to be confident : hope
  15. to sell or deliver on credit
  16. to commit or place in one's care or keeping : entrust
  17. to permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving
  18. to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of : believe
    • trust a rumor
  19. to place confidence in : rely on
    • a friend you can trust
  20. to hope or expect confidently
    • trust s that the problem will be resolved soon
  21. to extend credit to

trust·bust·er ['trəs(t)-,bəs-tər] -n

  1. one who seeks to break up business trusts
  2. a federal official who prosecutes trusts under the antitrust laws

trust company -n

  1. an incorporated trustee
  2. a corporation that functions as a corporate and personal trustee and usu. also engages in the normal activities of a commercial bank

trust·ee [,trəs-'tē] -n

  1. one to whom something is entrusted
  2. a country charged with the supervision of a trust territory
  3. a natural or legal person to whom property is legally committed to be administered for the benefit of a beneficiary (as a person or a charitable organization)
  4. one (as a corporate director) occupying a position of trust and performing functions comparable to those of a trustee
  5. trusty

trustee -vb

  1. to commit to the care of a trustee
  2. to serve as trustee

trust·ee·ship [,trəs-'tē-,ship] -n

  1. the office or function of a trustee
  2. supervisory control by one or more countries over a trust territory

trust·ful ['trəst-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. full of trust : confiding

trust fund -n

  1. property (as money or securities) settled or held in trust

trust·less ['trəst-ləs] -adj

  1. not deserving of trust : faithless
  2. distrustful

trust territory -n

  1. a non-self-governing territory placed under an administrative authority by the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations

trust·wor·thy ['trəst-,wər-thē] -adj, adv, n

  1. worthy of confidence : dependable
    • a trustworthy guide
    • trustworthy information

trusty ['trəs-tē] -adj, n

  1. trustworthy, dependable
    • a trusty friend
    • his trusty pocketknife
  2. a trusty or trusted person
  3. a convict considered trustworthy and allowed special privileges

truth ['trüth] -n

  1. fidelity, constancy
  2. sincerity in action, character, and utterance
  3. the state of being the case : fact
  4. the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality
  5. a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality
  6. a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true
    • truth s of thermodynamics
  7. the body of true statements and propositions
  8. the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality
  9. true
  10. fidelity to an original or to a standard
  11. god

truth·ful ['trüth-fəl] -adj, adv, n

  1. telling or disposed to tell the truth
    • a truthful witness

truth serum -n

  1. a hypnotic or anesthetic held to induce a subject under questioning to talk freely

truth set -n

  1. a mathematical or logical set containing all the elements that make a given statement of relationships true when substituted in it
    • the equation x 7 10 has as its truth set the single number 3

truth table -n

  1. a table that shows the truth-value of a compound statement for every truth-value of its component statements
  2. a similar table (as for a computer logic circuit) showing the value of the output for each value of each input

truthvalue -n

  1. the truth or falsity of a proposition or statement

try ['trī] -vb

  1. to examine or investigate judicially
    • try a case
  2. to conduct the trial of
  3. to participate as counsel in the judicial examination of
  4. to put to test or trial
    • try one's luck
    often used with out
    • try out a new method
  5. to subject to something (as undue strain or excessive hardship or provocation) that tests the powers of endurance
  6. demonstrate, prove
  7. purify, refine
  8. to melt down and procure in a pure state : render
    • try out whale oil from blubber
  9. to fit or finish with accuracy
  10. to make an attempt at often used with an infinitive
    • try to fix the car
  11. to make an attempt
    • you can do it if you try
  12. an experimental trial : attempt
    • succeeded on the first try
  13. a play in rugby that is similar to a touchdown in football, scores usu. five points, and entitles the scoring side to attempt a placekick at the goal for additional points
  14. the score made on a try

try for point

  1. an attempt made after scoring a touchdown in football to score one or two additional points by kicking the ball over the crossbar or again carrying it into the opponents' end zone

trying -adj, adv

  1. severely straining the powers of endurance
    • a trying experience

try on ['trī-,ȯn, -,än] -vt, n

  1. to put on (a garment) in order to test the fit
  2. to use or test experimentally

try·out ['trī-,au̇t] -n

  1. : an experimental performance or demonstration: as
  2. a test of the ability (as of an athlete or actor) to fill a part or meet standards
  3. a performance of a play prior to its official opening to determine response and discover weaknesses

try out -vi

  1. to compete for a position esp. on an athletic team or for a part in a play

try·pano·some [tri-'pa-nə-,sōm] -n

  1. any of a genus ( Trypanosoma) of parasitic flagellate protozoans that infest the blood of various vertebrates including humans, are usu. transmitted by the bite of an insect, and include some that cause serious diseases (as sleeping sickness and Chagas' disease)

try·pano·so·mi·a·sis [tri-,pa-nə-sə-'mī-ə-səs] -n

  1. infection with or disease caused by trypanosomes

trypot ['trī-,pät] -n

  1. a metallic pot used on a whaler or on shore to render whale oil from blubber

tryp·sin ['trip-sən] -n

  1. a proteolytic enzyme that is secreted in the pancreatic juice in the form of trypsinogen, is activated in the duodenum, and is most active in a slightly alkaline medium

tryp·sin·o·gen [trip-'si-nə-jən] -n

  1. the inactive substance released by the pancreas into the duodenum to form trypsin

trypt·amine ['trip-tə-,mēn] -n

  1. a crystalline amine C 10H 12N 2derived from tryptophan

tryp·tic ['trip-tik] -adj

  1. of, relating to, or produced by trypsin or its action

tryp·to·phan ['trip-tə-,fan] -n

  1. a crystalline essential amino acid C 11H 12N 2O 2that is widely distributed in proteins

try·sail ['trī-,sāl, -səl] -n

  1. a fore-and-aft sail bent to a gaff and hoisted on a lower mast or a small mast close abaft

try square -n

  1. an instrument consisting of two straightedges fixed at right angles to each other and used for laying off right angles and testing whether work is square

tryst ['trist, esp Brit 'trīst] -n

  1. an agreement (as between lovers) to meet
  2. an appointed meeting or meeting place
  3. to make or keep a tryst

try·works ['trī-,wərks] -n pl

  1. a brick furnace in which try-pots are placed
  2. the furnace with the pots