| 释义 |
trueadj.n.adv.int. Origin: A word inherited from Germanic. Probably also partly a variant or alteration of another lexical item. Etymon: i-treowe adj. Etymology: Cognate with Old Frisian triūwe , triōwe , trōwe faithful, reliable, trustworthy, secure, Middle Dutch trouwe (also trūwe ) sincere, steadfast (Dutch trouwe ), Old Saxon triuwi faithful (Middle Low German -trouwe (in getrouwe ); also trūwe ), Old High German -triuwi (also -trūwi ) (only in prefixed forms gitriuwi , urtriuwi , zurtriuwi , etc.; Middle High German triuwe reliable, steadfast, loyal, German treu faithful), and (with different stem-class) Old Icelandic tryggr faithful, trustworthy, safe, Old Swedish trygger faithful, trustworthy, safe, confident (Swedish trygg safe, secure, confident), Old Danish tryg faithful, trustworthy, safe (Danish tryg safe, secure), Gothic triggws faithful, trustworthy < a Germanic base with numerous reflexes in Old English, as e.g. trēow (also rare trēowa ) truth, faith, loyalty, pledge, covenant (see truce n.), trēowian , trīewan to trust (see trow v.), (with suffixation) trēowð truth, faith, pledge, covenant (see truth n.), and (from an ablaut variant of the same base) truwa (also rare truw ) faith, trust, pledge, covenant (see trow n.1), truwian to trust (see trow v.), and probably also (with suffixation) unattested *trust trust adj., probably further cognate with Old Prussian druwit to believe, Old Irish derb certain, further etymology uncertain; perhaps < an Indo-European base related to that of tree n. (with the suggested semantic connection perhaps compare classical Latin robustus made of oak; strong, firm (see robust adj.), although this does not involve such a dramatic shift in meaning). In some instances probably aphetic < i-treowe adj., which is more commonly attested in Old English (earlier in senses A. 7a and B. 1a). Compare i-treowe adj., ortrow adj.Cognates in the Germanic languages. Forms of the adjective in the West Germanic languages show raising of the stem vowel e to i before -j- of the inflectional suffix. It is unclear whether less common forms in several West Germanic languages showing the stem vowel ŭ̄ (compare Old English (rare) -truwe (in getruwe , ortruwe ), Middle Dutch trūwe , Middle Low German trūwe , Old High German -trūwi ) show the influence of the related verb (compare West Germanic forms cited at trow v.) or are genuine reflexes of an ablaut variant from the same base, cognate with Old Icelandic trúr , Old Swedish tror (Swedish tro ), Old Danish, Danish tro , all in sense ‘faithful, loyal, true’. Most of the related Old English nouns and verbs cited above exhibit similar variation, although the preponderant form differs in each case. It is likely that there has been considerable mutual influence between forms reflecting the two ablaut grades over a long period. Form history. The α. forms show the usual development of Old English ēow to the Middle English diphthong ēu , ēw (with long close ē ). By the 15th cent. this diphthong had fallen together (perhaps as /ɪu/) with the reflex of Old French u (i.e. /y/), giving rise to the Middle English and later β. forms tru , true , etc. (The rare Old English β. forms are of different origin (see discussion above); some Middle English forms may perhaps reflect these.) The γ. forms reflect an alternative development of Old English ēow , showing monophthongization to long close ō followed by vocalization of the following w in early Middle English, giving the diphthong ou ; compare similarly four adj. (compare γ. forms at trow v. and α. forms at troth n. and adv.). The northern form traw at γ. forms shows development of ou to au in certain dialects of Middle English (compare δ. forms at trow v. and β. forms at troth n. and adv.). Semantic development. Use with reference to veracity, truthfulness, and factual accuracy (see branch A. II.) is evidenced already in Old English, but does not appear to be paralleled in early stages of other Germanic languages. In Old English the usual word in these contexts is sooth adj. A. adj. I. Loyal, trustworthy, and related senses. 1. society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [adjective] OE 1295 Aras se wuldormago, eadig elnes gemyndig, spræc to his onbehtþegne, torht to his treowum gesiþe. a1225 (c1200) (1888) 17 (MED) Ouer litel þing ðu ware trewe; ouer michel þing ic ðe scal setten. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 4414 Mildeliche spæc þus. þe treowe cniht Androgeus. a1300 in C. Brown (1932) 118 Þu ert leuedi swuþe treowe..þi loue is euer iliche neowe. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. l. 2228 (MED) A kinges swerd is bore In signe that he schal defende His trewe poeple and make an ende Of suche as wolden hem devoure. a1425 (c1395) (Royal) (1850) Luke xvi. 10 He that is trewe in the leeste thing, is trewe also in the more. 1476 in J. Raine (1890) 35 To all trewe Christen men. c1515 Ld. Berners tr. (1882–7) xcv. 307 Ye haue done as a trew subjet ought to do to his lorde. 1579 T. Churchyard sig. E.iijv He was had into a house, and made bothe drinke and eate..; whiche..made this Kerne euer after a true follower of Capitaine Malbie. 1646 R. Moray in (1880) 138 Your Grace's humblest truest seruant. 1660 J. Mullinax 49 England's all Joy, no true man murmuring. 1727 12 Aug. 95 King George and his Royal Consort have not a truer Subject this Day in England than myself. 1759 A. W. 3 In my heart I am a patriot and true citizen. a1822 Bridal Song in P. B. Shelley (1824) 182 Never smiled the inconstant moon On a pair so true. 1850 Ld. Tennyson (ed. 3) iv. 69 Bright and fierce and fickle is the South, And dark and true and tender is the North. 1916 H. C. Duffin ii. iii a. 202 The only tale in which two true lovers are really given the opportunity of working out happiness side by side. 1990 E. Harth (1991) iv. 54 Aristotle..was in this respect a true follower of that other elitist, Plato. the mind > will > decision > constancy or steadfastness > [adjective] OE Cynewulf 538 Wæs seo treowlufu hat æt heortan, hreder [read hreðer] innan weoll, beorn breostsefa. OE (1966) 185 Fidi prepositi, getrywes ingehides.] c1175 (Burchfield transcript) Pref. l. 69 Trigg. & trowwe griþþ. & friþþ. a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 275 For þi þat trewere luue ah beo imong breðre þu monnes broðer bicom. a1300 Passion our Lord 45 in R. Morris (1872) 38 Alle men he tauhte to holde treowe luue Erest to god almyhti. 1454 in J. T. Gilbert (1889) I. 281 That they shall do trewe execucion. 1470 Declar. conc. Fastolf Estate in (2004) I. 562 I, John Paston..promytt..to doo trwe and faithfull seruyce vnto þe..reuerend fader. a1500 tr. Catherine of Siena (Pierpont Morgan) (1966) 17 (MED) I go to laboure..to performe þis gostli orchard as it plesiþ almyȝti God to liȝtne my soule wiþ trewe felynge and clere siȝt. c1560 A. Scott (S.T.S.) ix. 14 Ane trewar hairt may no man haif. 1610 A. Willet ii. ix. 299 Although the Sunne be most sure in his course, there is a Sunne which is more true and stedfast. 1667 J. Milton iii. 104 What proof could they have givn..Of true allegiance..? View more context for this quotation 1799 G. Holford (new ed.) v. 72 A Loyal Villager! In whose true breast conspicuous honour dwells, And sheds a splendor round! 1832 Ld. Tennyson Miller's Daughter xxiii, in (new ed.) 46 Round my true heart thine arms entwine. OE (2008) 1165 Þa gyt wæs hiera sib ætgædere, æghwylc oðrum trywe. c1175 (Burchfield transcript) l. 6177 Þin laferrd birrþ þe buhsumm beon. & hold & trigg. & trowwe. a1300 Passion our Lord l. 48 in R. Morris (1872) 38 (MED) Alle men he tauhte..to luuye his euenyng..And euervich beo to oþre boþe treowe and holde. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) l. 7741 (MED) Al þat aȝt was in engelond he let somony in ech ende..þat hii suore him alle þere To be him triwe & holde. a1375 (c1350) (1867) l. 596 Ful wel can ich hele, & be tristy and trew to ȝow for euer-more. c1400 J. Trevisa tr. R. Higden (Tiber.) (1874) V. 447 Truwe [a1387 St. John's Cambr. Þanne doo as þou hast byhote, and be trewe to hym þat so haþ þe i-holpe]. ?c1450 tr. (1906) 97 Y haue founde you..not true vnto me. c1550 T. Becon f. lxi Graunte that the subiectes may shewe all reuerent submission to theyr rulers.., bee faythful and true to them. 1583 B. Melbancke (new ed.) sig. Eei I will bee as true to thee as the begger to his dishe. 1612 W. Fennor 77 A wife, That was esteem'd as honest as the best, And true vnto her husband all her life. 1678 N. Wanley v. ii. 472/2 A Prince more just and true to his word, than any other of his Predecessours. a1721 M. Prior (1742) II. 129 To my Vows I have been true. 1784 L. MacNally i. 10 To the last moment I will be true to you. 1849 T. B. Macaulay I. ii. 258 Hyde had been true to his Tory opinions. 1855 T. B. Macaulay III. xi. 1 London, true during fifty eventful years to the cause of civil freedom. 1918 Apr. 26/3 True to his promise he swept over Lille the next morning. 1938 7 Feb. 11/1 Fascist Rumania is still true to the Little Entente. 2008 13 Nov. 141/2 The artistic director..was true to her word. the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > stability, fixity > [adjective] a1225 (c1200) (1888) 75 Ðe richeise ðe scal trukien, ic ne truke ðe naure. Hwi is te ðin hucche trewer ðanne ich? c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 5936 (MED) Wel he makede his castles, treowe & swiðe uæste. c1390 (c1350) Proprium Sanctorum in (1888) 81 106 (MED) Þi nome is cald a ston, And on þe ston trewe and trie Mi churche I wol edefye. a1400 (a1325) (Trin. Cambr.) l. 59 For whenne þou wenest hit trewest [c1460 Laud truyst] to be Þou shalt from hit or hit from þe. ?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng (Petyt) ii. 73 Þe pes to ȝeme & gyue with lawes trewe als stele. a1500 in R. H. Robbins (1952) 221 (MED) Your..courtly loke al of saferon hew That neuer wol fayle—þe colour is so trew! a1586 Christis Kirk on Grene in W. A. Craigie (1919) I. 86 He forgeit it so ferslye, The bow in flenders flew..had the tre bene trew, Men said..That he had slane anew. 1609 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 236 When they would seeme soldiers, they haue..Good armes, strong ioints, true sword. View more context for this quotation 1791 W. Cowper tr. Homer Iliad in I. vi. 147 Steel Of truest temper. 1835 W. Wordsworth 107 To the rock the root adheres In every fibre true. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > [adjective] OE (Corpus Cambr.) lvii. §2. 384 We willað, þæt man namige on ælcon wæpengetace ii triwe þegnas & ænne mæssepreost, þæt hi hit gegaderian. lOE (Rochester) iii. ix. 230 Nan mann hryðer ne slea, buton he habbe twegra trywra manna gewitnesse. c1230 (?a1200) (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 6 Þeos riwle is chearite of schir heorte & cleane inwit & treowe bileaue. c1325 (c1300) (Calig.) 859 Men triwest [a1400 Trin. Cambr. trewest] we seþ & best me mai to hom truste þat of lest wordes beþ. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) ii. l. 1912 (MED) Let thi Semblant be trewe and plein, For Falssemblant is thilke vice Which nevere was withoute office. a1456 J. Lydgate Seying of Nightingale (Trin. Cambr.) l. 69 in (1911) i. 224 Truwe menyng rooted so with-Inne Fer frome þe conceyte of any maner synne. 1484 W. Caxton tr. ii. f. cxxiii He is emonge us alle reputed..for a good man and trewe. a1533 Ld. Berners tr. (?1560) xii. sig. B.iiv/2 Moche better is worth a woman to be poore and true, than to be folysshe & riche. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 59v Duke Nestor..was..Tru of his trowthe. 1611 Gen. xlii. 11 We are true men: thy seruants are no spies. View more context for this quotation c1614 W. Mure tr. Virgil Dido & Æneas i. in (1898) I. 715 Her waxen heart, touch't with a trew remorse. 1710 J. Addison No. 250. ¶8 Good Men and true for a Petty Jury. 1847 A. Helps I. 8 A true man does not think what his hearers are feeling, but what he is saying. 1865 C. Dickens II. iii. v. 36 Your own father has not a truer interest in you. 1915 T. Dreiser iii. xiii. 607 You will go and live unsanctioned with a man who has a good true woman now living as his wife. 2014 (Nexis) 26 Sept. 38 Of a certainty you would be a wiser, kinder and truer man. II. In accordance with fact or reality. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] OE Royal Charter: Æðelred II to Christ Church, Canterbury (Sawyer 914) in N. P. Brooks & S. E. Kelly (2013) 1024 Ic Siward cinges þegen æt ræde & æt runan ðisre spræce trywe gewitnys. Ic Sigered Siwardes broðor trywe gewitnys. lOE (Laud) anno 1098 Æt Finchamstæde an mere blod weoll, swa swa manige trywe men sædan þe hit geseon sceoldan. a1325 Statutes of Realm in f. 55 (MED) Somune..xii fre men ant trewe..to knoulechen bi hoere od [read oð] ȝif þat Water..was iseised in his demeine ase in feo. a1393 J. Gower (Fairf.) iii. l. 1175 (MED) He..is noght trewe of that he seith, So that in him ther is no feith. a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 6599 All er yee tru, þis es your saghes, Es nan of yow þat þis calf knaues. (Harl. 221) 503 Truwe mann, or woman, verax. a1500 (a1460) (1994) I. vii. 66 That thay be trew of thare tong, And bere no fals witnes. 1526 Matt. xxii. f. xxxjv Master, we knowe that thou arte true, and that thou teachest the waye of god trueli. 1579 T. Twyne tr. Petrarch ii. cxxx. f. 338 In many thynges fame is a lyer, but in the most a true reporter, otherwyse it could not long continue. 1611 Prov. xiv. 25 A true witnesse deliuereth soules: but a deceitfull witnesse speaketh lyes. View more context for this quotation 1637 J. Milton 7 This way the noise was, if mine eare be true. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Pastorals ii, in tr. Virgil 7 If the Glass be true, With Daphnis I may vie. 1730 J. Oldmixon 668/2 Mr. Archdeacon vouches for them that they were true Witnesses. 1788 H. Cowley iv. 60 If my eyes are true, The base of yonder statue is his rest. 1850 Ld. Tennyson lxxxiii. 117 O true in word, and tried in deed. View more context for this quotation 1889 R. Kipling (1890) 413 Afzal Khan is a true speaker in whose words men may trust. 4. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [adjective] > of statement: agreeing with reality a1250 Wohunge ure Lauerd in R. Morris (1868) 1st Ser. 283 A swete ihesu þu oppnes me þin herte for to cnawe witerliche and in to reden trewe luue lettres. c1275 (?a1200) Laȝamon (Calig.) (1963) l. 2217 Belin ihærde sugge þurh summe sæg treowe. of his broðer wifðinge. c1300 St. Bridget (Laud) l. 10 in C. Horstmann (1887) 192 (MED) Heo scholde..At a certeyn dai þarof trewe a-countes ȝelde. c1384 (Douce 369(2)) (1850) John xxi. 24 We witen, for [a1425 L.V. that] his witnessing is trewe. c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. i. l. 100 Al þe wordle [emended in ed. to world] wot wel hit myȝte nat be trywe. 1490 W. Caxton tr. (1885) xvii. 396 ‘Syr, wyte that charlemagne is come wyth his oost’... ‘Is it true?’ said mawgis. a1529 J. Skelton Howe Douty Duke of Albany in (1568) f. ii These tidinges newe Whiche be as trewe As the gospell. 1597 A. Montgomerie 878 I..Thocht all thair tales wer trewe. 1608 A. Willet xxxiv. 839 The truer opinion. 1650 tr. Nicholas of Cusa ii. 32 I labour to frame a true conception of God. 1722 J. Bingham IX. xx. vii. 163 The Fact was too true, and the Charge too well-grounded to be denied of them all in general. 1759 S. Johnson II. xlvii. 158 The same proposition cannot be at once true and false. 1854 D. Lardner (new ed.) I. 16 This will be true, however shallow the vessel..and however narrow the tube. 1870 A. Helps II. xxxii. 123 Marvellous to relate the rumour proved to be true. 1938 H. Kantorowicz & W. W. Buckland ix. 208 No true notion of the lost work could be formed. 1958 C. Achebe v. 38 Nwoye's younger brothers were about to tell their mother the true story of the accident. 2010 10 Nov. b21/5 It's a ridiculous claim and simply not true. a1450 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Caius 336/725) (1970) 3 (MED) Trewe it is þat oon man mai not haue al maner bokis, & pouȝ he hadde, it schulde be noyous to rede hem alle. a1500 (c1477) T. Norton (BL Add.) (1975) l. 2025 (MED) It is trewe Thei loue not olde kidels as thei do þe new. 1516 in W. C. Dickinson (1928) 144 Thrue it is that I Williame Brone..makis it knawin [etc.] 1594 T. Bowes tr. P. de la Primaudaye II. 13 True it is, that we haue now taken in hand a very long piece of worke. 1659 in C. S. Romanes (1914) I. 230 Trew it is that he be his bestiall..hes eatin and distroyit the last cropt 1658. 1720 D. Defoe 184 'Tis true, we were all but young in the War. 1771 T. Smollett I. 158 True it is, I have often over-looked capital beauties, in pieces of extraordinary merit. 1802 Feb. 182 True it is, that her trade was great, free, and unshackled. 1859 J. Ruskin i. 2 It is true that the art which carves and colours the front of a Swiss cottage is not of any very exalted kind. 1906 96 802/2 It is true that there is authority in support of the contention. 1954 E. Hardwick Let. 20 Feb. in R. Lowell (1982) 214 It is true he doesn't seem to realize emotionally any of the real nature of his conduct. 2012 20 Nov. 17/4 It is true that people with disabilities..can often be teased or bullied. society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > types of narrative or story generally > [adjective] > purporting to be true 1926 A. Huxley iv. 260 He walked up and down the train..peddling..True Story Magazines. 1957 C. MacInnes ii. x. 170 Barbara was..reading a ‘true story’ magazine. 1958 7 Feb. 72/3 She seasons her facts with many ‘true-life’ stories. 1965 M. Spark vii. 303 Love, love-affairs, men and women and true-life stories formed the daily entertainment and talk of their week's travelling. 1967 ‘T. Wells’ ii. 30 [She] was reading a true confessions magazine. I didn't think they even printed them any more. 2011 (Nexis) 8 Mar. a20 The world of true-confession magazines and paperback genre fiction. III. In accordance with a standard, rule, or ideal, and related senses. society > law > legal right > [adjective] c1384 (Royal) (1850) 1 John ii. 8 I wrijte to ȝou a newe maundement, that is trewe and in him and in ȝou. c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 592 It is no fors how longe þt we pleye In trewe wedlok coupled be we tweye. a1470 T. Malory (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) I. 195 If that I dye in this jurney, here I make the, sir Constantyne, my trew ayre, for thou arte nexte of my kyn. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 84 How thelaphus tid to be treu kyng. 1588 A. Munday tr. i. liii. sig. S6 To mee belonged the Castle shee quarrelles for, discended from my Predecessours, to whom I am the true, lawfull, and legitimate inheritour. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. ii. 23 An Oath is of no moment, being not tooke Before a true and lawfull Magistrate. View more context for this quotation 1681 J. Dryden 29 The true Successor from the Court remov'd. 1734 R. Keith ii. xii. 403 Lady Lochlevin..bragged besides, that she herself was King James V's. lawful wife, and her Son..his legitimate Issue, and true Heir of the Crown. 1790 E. Burke 322 By the laws of nature the occupant and subduer of the soil is the true proprietor. View more context for this quotation 1892 Ld. Tennyson iii. i. 91 We never robb'd one friend of the true King. 1922 Sept. 792 The true apostolic succession is revealed by its spiritual success. 2000 D. Lorton tr. M. Chauveau i. 15 Galaistes..claimed that he had the true heir to the throne in his care. 6. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] > of tools, materials, etc.: accurate c1392 18 (MED) Tak thanne a large compas þat be trewe. 1448–50 in J. A. Kingdon (1886) II. 299 Resseyued of Martyn Harlowe for j bem and weyghtes not trewe, Summa xiij s iiij d. a1525 ( (1908) II. 400 That his weyghtes be sised & sealed and true beme. 1551 R. Record i. sig. F.ijv More easyly..may you fynde and make any suche line with a true ruler. 1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse i. iv, in II. 102 Breake me to pieces else, as you would doe A rotten Crane, or an old rusty Iacke, That has not one true wheele in him. 1664 S. Butler ii. iii. 204 I'l make them serve for perpendiculars, As true, as e're were us'd by Brick-layers. 1726 G. Leoni tr. L. B. Alberti I. 38/2 We must use a Square Rule..of a very large Size, that our strait Lines may be the truer. 1875 J. Lukin 43 A strip required to be cut and planed up perfectly true and even on its sides and ends. 1885 1 Jan. 11/1 To find if the axle is true in the line of arms, get the height from the ground to the middle of the axle cap [etc.] 1914 21 Mar. 362/1 Every part is dead true before it reaches the assembly shop. 2005 June 90 The road stretches out straight and true for several miles. society > morality > dueness or propriety > [adjective] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) I. vii. lxix. 435 To ȝeue couenable and trewe medicine aȝeynes diuers sikenes and periles, a good phisician nediþ to..be ful ware and ful wel avised. c1405 (c1390) G. Chaucer (Ellesmere) (1877) §920 Trewe effect of mariage clenseth fornicacion and replenysseth hooly chirche of good lynage. c1450 (c1350) (Bodl.) (1929) l. 513 Þat þou miht trystli trye þe treweste lawe... Þat þou miht..þe beste lawe kenne. a1525 ( (1907) I. 182 The smythier, lest he lost his Custemers, wolde make true goode. 1593 G. Markham ii. sig. F2 The true place where the Bytte should lye in the Horses mouth, is aboue the tuske of his nether chappe. 1609 W. Shakespeare lxii. sig. Ev Me thinkes no face so gratious is.., No shape so true. 1677 A. Yarranton 51 The Land in this Mannor is sound, rich, dry, and good, and that is the true Land to bear Flax. a1770 J. Jortin (1771) II. i. 12 To place things in their true order. 1842 F. Marryat III. ix. 142 The true way to create an interest in a man like Lord de Versely is to make him proud of you. 1911 H. Wace v. 92 Facts thus placed in their true bearings. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adjective] c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. iii. l. 333 (MED) I leue wel, lady..þat þi latyne be trewe. 1448 in S. A. Moore (1871) i. 71 (MED) The orygynallys or true copyes therof buth redy to be shewed. 1504 W. Cornishe in J. Skelton (1568) sig. Zvii The trompet the true tune shall fynde For an instrument ouer wynded is tuned wrong. a1557 J. Cheke tr. (1843) x. 46 An Apostol, if ye wold have ye trutorn of ye naam is as much to sai as a frosent. 1583 P. Stubbes sig. L1v Such as can scarcely read true english. 1637 Abp. J. Williams 12 Now the true Copy of this Letter or Notes..here ensueth. 1651 T. Hobbes iii. xxxv. 217 The truest Translation is the first. 1656 Duchess of Newcastle x. 342 They can play a Tune perfectly, and keep just time, and set a true Note; yet they play not sweetly. 1673 J. Ray 114 When the furnace is come to a true temper of heat. 1720 M. Prior (new ed.) 265 On the plain ground Apelles drew A Circle regularly true. 1782 W. Cowper Hist. John Gilpin in 14 Nov. He hung one Bottle on each Side, To make his balance true. 1850 Ld. Tennyson xciv. 142 One indeed I knew..Who touched a jarring lyre at first, But ever strove to make it true . View more context for this quotation 1852 Apr. 78/1 Mr. Russell has as perfect a command over his vocal organs as any living singer: every note is true, round, and beautifully finished. 1898 Mar. 97 Of three chronometers, A, B, and C, A keeps true time. 1924 T. W. Allen xiii. 323 Their main business was to ensure a true transcription of the original. 1938 H. S. Morris i. 3 Alexis showed a love of music, and soon developed a good ear and a true voice. 1997 12 Dec. 38/2 Application.., full and up to date CV.., certified true copies of educational certificates and names and addressees of three academic referees..should be addressed to [etc.]. 2008 M. Lackey (2009) xiii. 336 She had a lovely, warm voice... The pitch was true, the tone was strong. the world > space > direction > [adjective] > exact (of compass direction) > measured relative to true north 1581 W. Borough i. sig. B.j The Variation of the Needle or Cumpas, is properly the ark of the Horizon contained between the true meridian of any place and the magneticall meridian. 1646 Sir T. Browne ii. ii. 62 The variation of the compasse is..a deflexion and siding East and West from the true meridian. View more context for this quotation 1744 W. Mountaine (rev. ed.) x. 257 In the Afternoon let the Sun's true Azimuth be 115 Degrees and the Magnetic Azimuth 101 Degrees. 1834 (Libr. Useful Knowl.) III. Astron. 255/1 The true azimuth, compared with the magnetic azimuth, will give the deviation of the compass. 1858 5 231 The Spherograph, invented by Mr. Saxby, will shew..the true bearing of the Sun at any time throughout the day. 1919 S. F. Card ii. 11 The chart or map contains the true and magnetic ‘roses’. 2000 J. N. Wilford (2002) vi. 93 Projections touching at a point are also called azimuthal—which is to say that all points on the map are in their true direction from the center of the map. the world > the earth > weather and the atmosphere > weather > wind > [adjective] > constant in direction and force 1699 W. Dampier iii. iv. 38 The Land-winds on the Coast of Angola are at E.N.E the Sea-winds at W.S.W. these are very true Winds of both kinds. 1822 12 Jan. 4/3 He preserved skirting the low western shore of the river, where the wind is true and steady. 1840 F. Chamier I. xii. 261 Even if the wind remained true, it was a miracle, if he could round the Bloody Foreland. 1894 11 July 6/1 The Britannia was now 400 yards ahead... The wind was continuing true. 1901 P. W. P. Church vii. 94 The wind was true, so they must simply have moved of their own accord. 1970 25 July 16/8 If the wind remains true, it is easy for the men in front to stay ahead. 2007 P. Potter x. They would make the Hebrides in five or six days if the wind stayed true. society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > [adjective] > surface of playing area 1851 J. Pycroft vii. 107 A man is but half a player who is only prepared for true ground. 1888 A. G. Steel in A. G. Steel & R. H. Lyttelton (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) iii. 148 On a hard true ground..[the bowler]..has good sport in trying every dodge he can think of. 1890 H. G. Hutchinson in H. G. Hutchinson et al. (Badminton Libr. of Sports & Pastimes) xiii. 320 The putting-greens are very good and true. 1934 W. J. Lewis 297 The wicket..is said, with regard to its condition, to be..plumb or true when it is perfectly level and the ball behaves normally. 1965 L. R. Benaud 86/1 One played on a true, black, shiny strip as hard as concrete. 2014 (Nexis) 4 Sept. 99 Having asked the visitors to bat first on a green but true wicket, Danny Haines completed his fine end of season form. 7. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adjective] the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > genuine, real eOE Cleopatra Gloss. in J. J. Quinn (Ph.D. diss., Stanford Univ.) (1956) 157 Nardi pistici, þære getreowan elesealfe.] a1398 J. Trevisa tr. Bartholomaeus Anglicus (BL Add. 27944) (1975) II. xvi. xlvii. 851 Stones..þat ben false..semen most liche to hem þat ben trewe. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 22 His forbearis..Of hale lynage and trew lyne of Scotland. 1526 1 John ii. 8 The darknes is past, and the true lyght nowe shyneth. 1562 A. Scott (1896) 2 Caus his trew Kirk be had in reuerence. 1680 T. Otway i. 1 The world has not A truer Souldier, or a better Subject. 1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iv, in tr. Virgil 140 He turns agen To his true Shape. View more context for this quotation 1714 II. 170 True Wit consists in retrenching all useless Discourse, and in saying a great deal in a few words. 1782 W. Cowper Truth in 82 True Piety is cheerful as the day. 1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth ii, in 2nd Ser. I. 67 The best armourer that ever made sword, and the truest soldier that ever drew one. 1849 T. B. Macaulay II. vi. 16 It was thought that the flocks..would soon return to the true fold. 1907 7 June 282 The friar's answer, ungallant as it sounds to modern ears, is the true voice of the thirteenth century. 1967 Nov. 64/1 Those who dared to attempt to lead their brothers toward a true freedom. 2009 24 Nov. 27/5 He is a supreme naturalist in the true sense of the word. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > accurately so named > of blood, breeding ?a1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Hunterian) (1994) 49 Þer ben twelue ribbes on eiþer side off þe bodie..ffyue fals ribbes and seuene verreie oþer trewe ribbes[;] þe false ribbes be cleped mendose be cause þat þei be not hole. a1475 (a1449) in F. J. Furnivall (1903) 73 Trewe metall requirith non alay. 1526 Rom. xi. f. ccvii Thou wast cut out of a naturall wilde olive tree, and was graffed contrary to nature in a true olyve tree. 1578 H. Lyte tr. R. Dodoens iii. lxviii. 408 True Maydenheare, Ladies heare, Venus heare. 1657 N. Culpeper & W. Rowland tr. J. Johnstone x. 33/1 'Tis cured by things that alter, amongst which the cheife are. The roots of burnet, the true acorus. 1688 C. Packe tr. F. M. van Helmont 4 Those [Metals] which are imperfect, incompleat, mixt and corrupt, may be transmuted into true Gold. 1705 F. Fuller 211 The true Skin, and all its innumerable Glands. 1789 T. Day III. 306 They are the true Suffolk sorrels, the first breed of working horses in the kingdom. 1809 21 274 In all cases of true hydrophobia. 1855 J. Phillips 513 Masses of true granite. a1933 J. A. Thomson (1934) II. 1110 (heading) The most obvious mark of the true fern is its great frond. 1978 B. P. Moore 95 The Ground Thrush (Zoothera dauma) is..a true thrush that occurs widely in eastern Australia and New Guinea. 2001 Feb. 60/2 Most true grasses are perennial although some are annuals. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [noun] > true statement, correct account, truth society > law > administration of justice > general proceedings > accusation, allegation, or indictment > [noun] > indictment before grand jury > document containing > found justified 1581 W. Lambarde ii. v. 384 An Enditement is their [sc. Jurors'] finding of a Bill of accusation to bee true. 1616 J. Cotta xi. 81 I see no true cause, why it should..not be reputed a true Bill, worthy to bee inquired. 1636 (new ed.) f. 144v Indictment..is a Bill..exhibited by way of accusation..and preferred unto Jurors, and by their verdict found presented to be true before a Judge. 1707 F. Shaftoe 27 I..preferr'd a Bill of Indictment of High-Treason against the said Ann and Eleanor, which was found to be a true Bill by the Grand Jury of the County of Middlesex. 1769 W. Blackstone IV. xxiii. 305 If they [sc. the grand jury] are satisfied of the truth of the accusation, they then endorse upon it, ‘a true bill’; antiently, ‘billa vera’. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage III. ix. vi. 418 Him they taxed with the plotted massacre, and the bill was a true one. 1852 F. E. Smedley lii. 463 A true bill, by all that's unlucky! 1930 26 May 13/ This is the first time a foreign corporation has ever been named in a true bill in the United States. 2009 27 575 In early April 1697, a grand jury returned a true bill against Hill. the world > time > change > absence of change, changelessness > [adjective] > unchangeable 1845 C. Darwin (ed. 2) viii. 146 The breed is very true, and a niata bull and cow invariably produce niata calves. 1868 C. Darwin II. xiv. 62 If care be taken for a length of time to exclude all inferior individuals, the breed will obviously tend to become truer. 1897 (Royal Soc.) A. 187 315 Making a breed truer by selection for many generations is only consistent with belief in a progression of the focus of regression. society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > types of narrative or story generally > [adjective] > realistic 1671 J. Dryden Pref. sig. a Poets wanting judgement to make, or to maintain true characters, strive to cover their defects with ridiculous Figures and Grimaces. 1689 R. Gould 175 The Plain Dealer..nicely writ, And full of Satyr, Iudgment, Truth and Wit: In all the Characters so just and true, It will be ever lov'd, and ever new! 1764 Aug. 444/2 His representations are so true, that none of his predecessors in writing and acting ever drew fewer imputations, than he has done, upon his good nature or humanity. 1870 T. H. Huxley i. 1 In that truest of fictions, ‘The History of the Plague Year’, Defoe shows death..stalking through the streets of old London. 1894 June 527/1 I do not object to fiction provided it be true. 1918 G. M. Overton 116 If the characters are true they can say things that, from the author, would be mere preaching. 2012 K. Halsey ii. 48 Austen's version of the process of falling in love is truer than that depicted elsewhere. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > in agreement or harmony (with) [phrase] the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > [adjective] > in exact agreement or harmony the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adjective] > real, actual 1735 J. Arbuthnot Let. 9 July in A. Pope (1735) I. 107 A Translation nicely true to the original. 1767 W. Harte 124 Each speaking lineament th' engraver makes, And wears a faithful image for mankind, True to the features, truer to the mind. 1841 C. Dickens i. i. 43 Be true to your time in the morning, for there's work to do. 1883 W. R. Morfill i. 15 The dialects of a language are truer to its spirit than its literary form. 1948 B. G. M. Sundkler vi. 208 The most..true-to-fact description of Zionist baptismal rites. 1966 H. Moore 130 As you make a thing bigger or smaller, you alter to keep true to the mental vision you've had of it. B. n.†1. society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > [noun] > person or thing > person lOE (Harl.) ii. xxx. §7. 334 Nime him fife triwe [OE Nero getrywe] to & beo him sylf sixta & ladige hine þæs. ?c1225 (?a1200) (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 55 Þe treowe is ofte mis trouwed. & þe sakelese biloȝen. for wane of witnesse. 1258 Proclam. Henry III in (1868–9) 21 (MED) And ȝif oni oþer onie cumen her onȝenes, we willen and hoaten þæt all vre treowe heom healden deadliche ifoan. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 2354 (MED) Trwe mon [= must] trwe restore. 1508 (Chepman & Myllar) sig. b Thus with trety ye cast yon trew vndre tyld. c1540 (?a1400) (2002) f. 180v A traytor vntrew how toke þou on honde Þat trew to be tray? society > authority > rule or government > politics > British politics > British party politics > [noun] > Whiggism > a Whig a1734 R. North (1740) ii. v. 357 Most of the eminent Fanatics in England, with all their Trues and True-blues. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [noun] ?1531 R. Whitford tr. iii. lx. f. cxxxiv The natural reason of man..hathe yet power to iuge betwyxte good and badde & to shewe the dystaunce & the dyuersytie betwyxte trewe & false. 1574 C. Vitell tr. H. Niclaes xii. sig. D4v Hee sheweth & declareth an expresse Difference, betwixt the Earthlie, and the Heauenlie, and betwixt the Lying, and the True. 1602 S. Patrick tr. I. Gentillet ii. iv. 114 Grammar and Logicke are profitable sciences to know to speake well, and to distinguish the true from the false. 1723 E. Jesup Life Pascal 5 in He had always an admirable quickness at discerning the True from the False. 1768 tr. C. Rollin (ed. 2) II. 253 Within the bounds of the just and the true. 1812 G. Crabbe xi. 204 If sleep one moment clos'd the dismal view, Fancy her terrors built upon the true. 1874 ‘G. Eliot’ College Breakfast Party in July 161 Yearning for that True Which has no qualities. 1972 Mar. 106/3 A kind of Sherlock Holmesian logic, which presumes that in eliminating the impossible and the more implausible it has arrived at the true. 2010 72 590 The true and the good must be actively sought. C. adv.society > morality > virtue > honourableness > [adverb] society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > faithfulness or trustworthiness > fidelity or loyalty > [adverb] c1300 (?c1225) (Cambr.) (1901) l. 1522 (MED) Al folk..loueden hem so trewe. a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng (Harl.) 1912 Þere ys no solas vndyr heuene..Þat shuld a man so moche glew As a gode womman þat loueþ trew. c1400 (?c1390) (1940) l. 2354 (MED) Trwe mon [= must]trwe restore. ?c1400 (a1325) (Arms) l. 4913 Þing þat we trewely bouȝt And so is oure trewe geten þing. 1488 (c1478) Hary (Adv.) (1968–9) i. l. 86 Ressawide he was and trastyt werray trew. a1500 (?a1475) (Cambr. Ff.2.38) l. 238 (MED) Ther louyd neuer man ȝyt so trewe. 1563 B. Googe sig. A.v Long hast thou serued, & serued true, but all alas, in vayne. a1575 N. Harpsfield (1878) (modernized text) 94 Like an honest true-dealing man. 1633 T. Adams (ii. xviii) 998 A theefe lighting into true-meaning companie. 1657 H. Crompton 41 Once I did love, and loved true, Ah! but it prov'd in vain. 1741 8 Deal true, play fair, your Rep. and Fortune save. 1857 Mar. 236 Stand beside the simple urn Of one who loved her true. 1904 W. D. Nesbit 12 Would your memory serve you true? 2003 M. Wolitzer 59 Beneath it were the words: C., I love you true.—J. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [adverb] c1392 18 (MED) Lok thy croys be trewe proued by geometrical conclusioun. c1425 J. Lydgate (Augustus A.iv) ii. l. 2476 (MED) Þer stood a cok, Singyng his houris trewe as any clok. a1475 Friar & Boy (Brogyntyn) in J. O. Halliwell (1855) 50 (MED) A pype..thou schalt have..Trewe of mesore schall it goo. 1530 J. Palsgrave 698/2 Sauf vostre grace, or saulue vostre grace, for I fynde bothe, but saulue is trewer written. a1550 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun (Wemyss) lxxiv. l. 87 Be þe sterne at led þaim trew Borne þe king of Iowis þai knew. 1660 tr. H. Blum (new ed.) sig. A2 Sima being made true Square. 1687 A. Lovell tr. J. de Thévenot i. xxv. 35 They shoot at a mark very true with a Bow and Arrow. 1700 J. Treffry 98 Of all Horses fit for your Pleasure, There's none can compare with Ebenezer. For he will travel true at any rate. 1765 J. Wesley (ed. 2) Pref. p.iii I want the People called Methodists to sing true, the Tunes which are in common Use among them. 1835 J. Ross viii. 119 The wind had continued true north. 1850 T. T. Lynch xii. 232 Thy love in ours is imaged true As skies in water clear. 1954 N. Coward iii. 127 Gertrude Lawrence, of all the actresses I know, could, when she was playing true, give me the most pleasure. 1994 Oct. 32 Kenneth and his father gave the College a new bell which rings true. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adverb] > truly, genuinely a1400 (a1325) (Vesp.) l. 18420 I hight þe tru þat þou þis ilk dai sal be..in paradis wit me. c1450 (1905) II. 505 (MED) Thi felow hase telled me all þe trewth of þe vynegarth als trew as þe pater noster. a1500 (?c1450) i. 7 (MED) The gode woman that spake with me seyde full trewe. 1526 John xix. f. cl He knoweth that he sayth true. 1578 J. Rolland 323 Tak in patience, forsuth I say yow trew, For I haue heir vther seruandis anew. 1638 R. Baker tr. J. L. G. de Balzac II. 142 Tell mee true, Did you not purpose to your selfe a Patterne to follow? 1664 N. Ingelo vi. 351 Those who affirm Pleasure to be the end of all Humane Actions, speak true enough. 1711 J. Addison No. 58. ¶13 If he tells me true. 1853 F. Fales 91 Tell him, Cupid, tell him true, that she will be his Bride. 1883 17 Feb. 217/1 If report speak true. 1900 Aug. 500/2 I tell you true, Félix, I had rather be the poor innkeeper of the Amour de Dieu than stand in M. de St. Quentin's shoes. 2003 M. Ali xviii. 352 When the imam speaks, it is not the word of God. Does he speak true? the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > [adverb] > assuredly, indeed c1480 (a1400) St. George l. 421 in W. M. Metcalfe (1896) II. 188 In capadoce, treu, wes I borne. 1571 J. Bridges 175 Dothe not God say, Wo be to them that make euill good &c. and that iustifie the wicked? True, he sayeth so of them. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1622) i. iii. 79 That I haue tane away this old mans daughter, It is most true: true, I haue married her. View more context for this quotation 1785 W. Cowper iii. 210 True; I am no proficient, I confess, In arts like yours. 1871 G. Sydenham vii. 71 True I am not going to remain very long upon the earth. 1922 V. Woolf ii. 21 True, there's no harm in crying for one's husband. 2011 18 June a12/5 True, there's the small matter of the US Open this weekend. the world > animals > domestic animal > [adverb] > purely bred the world > people > ethnicities > division of mankind by physical characteristics > unmixed race > [adverb] the world > life > biology > biological processes > genetic activity > heredity or hereditary descent > [adverb] > breed true 1803 3 135 They have not come true to the sorts I then planted. 1859 C. Darwin i. 19 Every race that breeds true. 1873 L. Wright xxxiv. 529 The black-winged peacock..is a third variety described by Dr. Sclater, and believed by him to be a distinct species, chiefly on the ground that they propagate true to ‘points’. 1912 Dec. 810/2 Each variety breeds ‘true’ in breeders' parlance. 1967 3 Aug. 142/1 But there are two regularities which are equally impressive: organisms breed true, and their structures are orderly. 1995 Nov. 675/1 Hazelnuts do not come true from seed. 2013 Feb. (Poultry section) 23/3 (caption) They may not breed true—their Mallard Restricted gene is dominant, and masks recessive colours. D. int.1611 Dan. iii. 24 They answered and said vnto the king: True, O king. View more context for this quotation 1663 T. Porter iv. 69 Colig. Slander fly's back in the slanderers face. Host. True, like a man that pisseth against the Wind. 1778 F. Burney Let. 23 Aug. in (1994) III. 96 ‘Why, ay, true’, cried the Doctor, see-sawing very solemnly. 1852 T. S. Arthur xi. 104 ‘We have two advantages—possession and a written contract guaranteeing the possession.’ ‘True.’ 1912 C. Major xii. 260 ‘He may be compelled to spend the money and a great deal more in defending the city.’ ‘True, true,’ agreed Lilly. 1992 P. Theroux xx. 577 ‘The wind's against you,’ he said. ‘True.’ Phrases P1. In sense A. II. a. In asseverations. a1450 (c1410) H. Lovelich (1932) III. l. 21086 (MED) On þyng j schal ȝow telle which is as trewe as the gospelle. a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville (Vitell.) l. 10283 (MED) I haue a certeyn ston Wherthorgh (trewe as any byble) I kan me makyn invysible. ?1518 tr. B. de Clere-Ville i. Ye trees sore bront and torne asonder wt the fyre of their ordenance... I ensuere you yt this is as trewe as god is in heuen. 1554 J. Christopherson sig. Ovi As true as God lyueth, and as true as your grace lyueth, wheresoeuer you shall become, there wyll I your seruaunte be. 1601 A. Munday & H. Chettle sig. F3 Bruse Ile begin with you: I will ifaith, as true as God is true. a1691 J. Flavel (1698) sig. Bv As true as the Word of God is true; as sure as the Heavens are over thy head, and the Earth under thy feet. 1722 W. Sewel viii. 438 You will..grow desperate in Cruelty.., till your whole Earth is filled with Violence; and then (as true as God liveth) will the Flood come upon you. 1775 93 What I am going to say, is as true as God is in Heaven. 1832 41 Sir, it's as true as the Gospel; ye ken yoursell, the last crop wasna aff the ground till Januar, this blessed year. 1862 11 Oct. 236/1 It is a mystery how I became rich; but, as true as God lives, I will tell you all about it. 1934 Dec. 43/3 ‘It's ambergris!..It's worth more than its own weight in gold! Isn't that true, Captain Dan?’ ‘True as the Bible, boy!’ 2004 H. Strachan xix. 224 A big sod called Wilberforce Mdwayi, whom as true as God's my father, I've never seen in my life before. 1591 G. Babington 26 The drift of it is Gods truth, as true as God, that vnthankfulnes is odious to the Lord. a1635 R. Sibbes (1655) 382 The threatenings of God must needs be true, even as true as God himself. 1670 I. Tonge tr. N. Perrault ii. 293 To say, This is as true as the Gospel, or this is as true as God, is no blasphemy. 1841 Dec. xii. 553 ‘True as Bob!’ cried my father; ‘I am a member of the genteel suckles of society.’ 1857 Feb. 165 Captain Percy, tell me where my son is; for as true as God you know! 1947 P. Abrahams (2006) v. 48 It is so, sister, 's true 's God. 1980 H. Leonard Life ii. in (1992) 362 I'll tell you what else I remember. Will yous listen... No, this is as true as God. 2012 N. Smart xv. 75 Hell Camp was buried—as true as Bob! the world > action or operation > carrying out > execute, perform, or carry out [verb (intransitive)] > be fulfilled (of a wish, prophecy, etc.) the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > be or become true [verb (intransitive)] a1527 G. Douglas tr. Virgil (Elphinstoun) (1959) vi. iii. l. 61 [Al thing]..ar cum trew. a1605 R. Birrel Diarey 19 in J. G. Dalyell (1798) Ye chyld King..said, I think ther is ane holl in this Parliament; sua that shortly therafter hes Maiestie's vords came true. 1672 R. Wild (single sheet) Then may they find him turn a Dreamer too, And live themselves to see his Dream come true. 1679 J. Banks ii. 16 Is my Cassandra's Prophesie come true already? 1759 T. Flloyd tr. T.-S. Gueullette 12 Abdelmelek's Predictions always came true. ?1790 24 I would to God, Nancy, said he, your words would come true. 1819 P. B. Shelley in (1862) 83 Fragments of a dream, Part of which comes true. 1876 W. Morris tr. Virgil viii. 211 While yet my fear is unfulfilled and hope may yet come true. 1963 N. Coward 17 Mar. (2000) 530 What I predicted..has come true. 2011 May 152/2 My lifelong dream came true. 1652 No. 15. 240 I wish, for the satisfaction of his minde in that point [sc. the manner of his death], he were immediately resolv'd which. But I forbear: yet there's many a true word spoken in jest. 1661 J. Hill 3 Yet there's many a true word spoake in jest you'l say. 1701 14 Mocking's catching, Monsieur Lewis, and many a true Word is spoken in Jest. 1749 J. Swift ii. 46 They say many a true Word is spoken in jest. 1817 Sept. 908 He should remember the old proverb ‘many a true word is spoke in jest’, and to us the opinions of the great chamberlain do not always appear so foolish as they might be intended. 1867 Oct. 72 ‘Many a true word,’ says Jack, ‘is said in a joke.’ 1910 W. G. Collingwood 121 I fear the name is too apt; the true word spoken in jest. 1979 D. Lessing 356 We shall have a dozen or more [children], if this goes on! Many a true word is spoken in jest. 2013 (Nexis) 1 Sept. (Sport section) 70 He said it with a smile but many a true word is spoken in jest, eh? 1737 Weddell 11 Liddy... You know these City Ladies—. Smatch. Ah, true enough—they know not how to make Allowances. 1818 tr. J. D. Wyss & J. R. Wyss (ed. 2) I. i. 12 If we can once get to land, you will see that they will assist us in hunting and shooting. True enough, said I; but be so good as to tell us how we are to get to land. 1924 D. Hammett in Mar. 93/2 She gave us a fine assortment of facial expressions, true enough, but we wanted verbal information—and we got none. 1953 J. Hilton i. 6 ‘I hope you like sea-food.’.. ‘Oh yes, I do, indeed.’ (..True enough, though this ‘sea-food’ set Charles thinking that he also enjoyed ‘land-food’.) 2000 ‘Bidisha’ i. 43 ‘There's blood on the cars.’... True enough, along the blackened edges of the junked cars is another, unmistakable substance. the mind > language > statement > agreement, concurrence, or unanimity > agreement [phrase] 1765 ‘T. Shandy’ viii. 14 ‘We have a purdigious immenser Stock of Fizdum than such Whagtails.’—‘That's true for you,’ answered my Lady Proudfoot. 1834 Mar. 364/1 ‘It never can be broke,’ says the widdy, ‘without braking my heart’..an' thrue for her the charm wouldn't be broke, for they say that..he's the ould widdy's darlint. 1835 R. M. Bird I. xix. 247 ‘You are Tapes, the pedler.’.. ‘True for you, captain Gilbert!’ cried the other. 1868 J. F. Maguire iii. 73 ‘Well, thank God, 'tis our own..,’ said one of the settlers; to which there was a general chorus of ‘amens,’ and ‘true for you.’ 1889 Jan. 106/2 Twas thrue for him that we kape a dacint shop anyhow. 1900 J. Barlow 63 They would not, thrue for you. 1980 J. O'Faolain xv. 329 You're right there... True for you. 1996 F. McCourt (1997) ii. 72 True for you, missus. You can't beat the onion boiled in milk. the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > greatly or very much [phrase] > extremely > to an incredible degree 1947 K. Williams 9 Feb. (1993) 9 Harry M. came round during the evening and Stan and Geoff; he and I went into the village—so gay it wasn't true! coffees and things in cafés, bought myself a cigarette holder! 1959 P. H. Johnson xv. 132 The Mrs. Jones! She's so smart it's not true. 1963 25 Apr. 7/6 The Princess was so calm it wasn't true. 1970 R. Rendell ix. 103 You may be only thirty-six but you're so dead old-fashioned it isn't true. 1982 A. Barr & P. York 8/1 Sloane Britain is so heavily weighted towards the South and the West it's not true. 1997 J. Owen 1 That pub is so unhip it's not true. 1842 F. Marryat (1877) xix. 15/2 ‘You don't ask me to spare your life, then’? replied the negro. ‘He de very first white dat not ask it’, said one of the negroes. ‘Dat really for true’, said another. ‘Yes, by gum’, replied a third. 1862 W. G. Hamley vii. 143 De busha (overseer) no tief nuttin hisself, and no allow no-body else for tief nuttin'. He too honest for true. 1887 in (1950) 25 39/2 When a for-true doctor come to see him. 1960 T. Cade Bambara Mississippi Ham Rider in (1972) 53 Now is it for true..you taking Mr. Ham to New York to sing? 2016 K. Miller (2017) vii. 70 Norah lifted her daughter up into her arms so that she could get an even better view of things. ‘Yes, baby. You right,’ Norah whispered. ‘Bedward flying for true.’ P2. In sense A. I.1599 S. Daniel Musophilus in sig. F That deceipt is but a cauiller, And true vnto it selfe can neuer stand, But stil must with her owne conclusions war. 1603 W. Shakespeare i. iii. 78 This aboue all, to thy owne selfe be true,..Thou canst not then be false to any one. 1660 T. Hall 97 All the Devils in hell, and all the men in the world could not hurt us, if wee were but true to ourselves. 1704 R. Wake 25 The Church is true to herself; her Tenets are fixt and unchangeable. 1754 S. Fielding & J. Collier III. v. iv. 235 No outward circumstances.., had you been but true to yourself, could have staggered my faithful constancy. 1820 Sept. 245/2 Alas! I have not always been true to myself. 1858 Jan. 217/2 To be true to society, and yet true to himself, is the problem of daily duty. 1921 A. A. Chown vi. 68 To be true to oneself is the great achievement. 2012 (Nexis) 26 Apr. 11 O'Connor is the one Irish celebrity who has remained true to herself. P3. In sense A. III.1658 W. Sanderson 19 Albert Durex [sic]..usually wrought, his Horison to the top or edge of the Piece; which may be true to nature and Art, but nothing gracefull. 1702 R. Gould in H. Purcell II. p. i/2 So true to Nature, and so just to Wit, His Musick was the very Sense you Writ. 1720 I. Introd. 88 These Lines and Colouring are bright, and true to Nature. 1846 Mar. 308/2 Artificial passion flowers..which are about as true to nature as they that wear them. 1874 T. Hardy II. xxvii. 341 It might have been a little more true to nater if't had been spoke a little chillier, but that wasn't to be expected just now. 1918 Nov. 371 Only 33 per cent of these animal stories are true to nature. 2009 2 Jan. 16/1 Every flower painted by Walsh emerges with its form and colour true to nature. 1782 22 True to life each portrait shall be drawn, No part be screen'd by flatt'ry. 1795 J. Haslewood (new ed.) I. 122 In Comedy an easy grace he shews, And, true to life, with manly freedom glows. 1835 16 May 372/1 Another character—true to life—is Mrs. Hollis, the fruiterer. 1872 J. M. Langford Let. 11 Mar. in ‘G. Eliot’ (1956) V. 254 One feels them all to be true to life. 1901 F. Norris in 6 Nov. 20/6 You lay your finger upon a certain passage and say ‘Not true to life’. 1913 22 Feb. 66/3 (advt.) Many colored plates of fowls true to life. 2012 May 89/1 The novel's Westish College..was never meant to be true to life. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > accurately so named > of blood, breeding 1868 C. Darwin II. xxiii. 283 Galls..afford good, constant, and definite characteristics, each kind keeping as true to form as does any independent organic being. 1874 (Royal Soc.) 163 64 In two other specimens not figured, the relations remain true to type. 1902 Aug. 622/2 In each case Gold Heels was the favorite of the people and in each case ran absolutely true to form. 1929 E. M. Crawford in 10 Say he died true to type: and then erect A cenotaph; he liked to be select. 1960 1 Mar. 80/2 This was indeed a true-to-type Devon: a good, compact animal with nice fleshing and conformation. 1990 15 Sept. a11/4 His post-university career which, true to form, did not follow the established order. 2007 13 Sept. 20/4 True to type, the man who has run the Irish stock exchange for the past 20 years is a colourful character. P4. In sense A. 6a. 1678 S. Butler ii. 172 As Bowls Run true, by being made Of Purpose False, and to be sway'd. 1764 J. Randall 161 The plough..is made capable of running true, beneath the soil. 1777 W. Hutchinson 58 When the wind blows a point or two of the compass, across a tide that runs true, a ship driving with her head towards the weather side may be easily managed. 1813 ‘T. Martin’ 575/1 It is usual among watch-makers to hold a small straight ruler across the blades..of the callipers, to prove if the wheel runs true upon its arbor. 1899 W. Camp & L. Brooks vi. 134 The ball ran true, then, rimming the cup a little, it gave a lurch and dropped in. c1943 160/2 Skill in matching toecaps and vamps, or upper leather, so that the grain runs true from one to the other, is very necessary. 1983 190 The tap holding chuck incorporates..lower centering jaws to ensure that the tap runs true. 2000 P. Vincent 18/1 (caption) Lift and spin the wheels to check that they are running true. b. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > freedom from error, correctness > exactness, accuracy, precision > [noun] > accurate position or adjustment the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > [adjective] > of mechanism, etc. 1822 5 150 The heat caused the plate to expand, and the saw to warp, or, as it is termed, to get out of true. 1876 J. Rose vi. 86 If the face plate of the lathe is a trifle out of true, the eccentric will only be out to an equal amount. 1897 ‘M. Twain’ v. 79 You can make out of the four stars a sort of cross—out of true. 1950 Jan. 197/1 The window frames are thrown out of true by settling of the building. 2001 Jan. 13/1 Regular patterns such as stripes, checks and geometric designs..will emphasise out-of-true walls. (b) the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > inaccuracy, inexactness > [noun] > of alignment 1970 K. Ball vi. 59/1 The out-of-true at bearing seats must not exceed ·0008 inch. Compounds C1. Compounds of the adjective. a. (a) Parasynthetic. Cf. true-hearted adj.1753 W. Smith in tr. Thucydides I. i. 119/1 All of us true-blooded Athenians. 1925 Feb. 155/2 All true-blooded and sincere Americans are highly satisfied with the Constitution of the United States. 2000 Feb. 66/1 As an old, true-blooded Prussian, his attitude was that Hitler had ‘gone too far’. 1605 sig. Biiv O my true brested father. 1831 J. A. Shea 117 The true-eyed falcon spread his faithful wings. 1883 Mrs. Plunkett in Jan. 240/2 Some true-eyed artist. 1914 K. Boyles & V. D. Boyles x. 147 It was her eyes which had set him a-dreaming of little true-eyed Mary Ann of the backwoods. 2007 (Nexis) 31 Mar. The musk..truffle is very, very similar to the Black Queen. It takes a true-eyed truffle expert to tell the difference. 1648 R. Herrick sig. D8v Before they sing Their true-pac'd-Numbers. 1797 II. 125 Do thou, my true-paced courser, steer To wheel, sedate, the dread career. ?1615 G. Chapman in tr. Homer (new ed.) 377 So scorne the stars the clouds; as true-soul'd men Despise Deceiuers. 1854 ‘G. Greenwood’ ii. 34 A true-souled old man. 1906 Feb. 82/1 A mark of high esteem and deepest regret For the loss of a true-souled Highland lady. 2014 B. Pastor iv. 133 ‘What a good man you are!’ ‘Or stupid.’ ‘No, no. True-souled, that's the word.’ 1600 T. Dekker sig. A4v I thrust base cowards into Honours chaire, Whilst the true spirited Souldiour stands by. 1684 T. Otway i. 3 A dozen..jolly, true-spirited..Friends. 1764 Ded. Your noble, free-born, and true spirited County. 1824 T. Carlyle Let. 27 Sept. in (1970) III. 161 Let us behave like true-spirited fellows. 2014 (Nexis) 19 July 16 A true spirited Liverpudlian. 1599 T. Heywood sig. Q4 I am a true stampte villaine as euer liude. 1678 J. Dryden i. 4 The..rugged virtue Of an old true-stampt Roman. ?1750 i. 3 Having had her Education among the true stamp'd puritan Saints, she'll..out-sigh a Widow at the Funeral of her Husband. 1900 4 Aug. 44/1 A clean, sharp and true stamped article. 1838 C. R. Scott II. viii. 220 The faint but true-toned yelp of one of the hounds put me quite on the qui vive. 1907 21 Nov. 5/3 Her..E flat rang out clear and perfect like a true-toned bell. 1996 July 40/1 Ferrier's contralto was rich and true-toned. a1450 ( G. Chaucer (Tanner 346) (1871) l. 927 Of eloquence was neuer found So swete a sownyng facound Ne trewer tongyd. ?1553 H. Dekyn tr. Herman V of Wied sig. A.vv A wyfe oughte to be..true tonged and of fewe wordes. 1604 T. Bilson 622 I that hitherto haue tried you so false conceited in euery thing, will not trust you to be true-tonged in this. 1858 Nov. 418/1 The true-tongued lecturer took up the great moralist's life as a shining light of humanity. 1903 T. MacDonagh 103 The spirits of the true-tongued seers. (b) Complementary. 1590 E. Spenser i. i. sig. A8v The falsest twoo, And fittest for to forge true-seeming lyes. 1824 M. R. Mitford I. 237 The equally apocryphal but still truer-seeming History of the Plague..she believed with most earnest simplicity. 2014 (Nexis) 24 May 42 The middle section..remains wonderfully vivid and true-seeming. b. 1602 T. Blundeville 50 The meane & true Anomalie or Inequalitie of the Moons latitude. 1867 E. B. Denison (ed. 3) 32 The distance of a planet from perihelion, or of the moon from perigee..is called its true anomaly; and the distance it would have gone in the same time if it moved uniformly, or in a circle instead of an ellipse, is its mean anomaly. 2020 M. S. Grewal et al. (ed. 4) iv. 106 The hardest part of the Kepler problem is determining true anomaly as a function of time, which is nonlinear with respect to time. 1928 32 475 From true air speed and drift on two courses it is possible to obtain wind speed and direction, and, therefore, ground speed. 1971 19 Mar. 10/6 The pilot simply sets the speed dial of the instrument to indicate true air speed with wind correction. 2007 July 11/3 When flight planning..what matters most is true airspeed, because that is the actual speed of the airplane through the air. ?a1425 (a1415) (Harl.) (1917) 5 (MED) Þe feiþ of trewe bileuars. ?1533 W. Tyndale Prol. f. viij Ye se the difference betwene the lambes of true beleuers..and the..ypocritishe dogges, which..persecute the ryghtwisnes of the fayth in Christes bloude. 1650 21 The Kirk of Scotland.., whose Dictates no man dare examine or contradict, without incurring the suspition of Heresie.., and the danger of being cut off from the Communion of those true believers. 1764 T. Bowman iv. 38 The true Believer heartily and gratefully trusts to the Mercies of God in Jesus Christ. 1850 W. Irving App. 210 Every true believer is bound to make one pilgrimage to Mecca in the course of his life. 1893 Sept. 657/1 Acquaintance with Rossetti and the other leading spirits of this [Pre-Raphaelite] movement made of Stillman a true believer. 1904 R. Blatchford 4 The history of civilisation is the history of successions of brave ‘Heretics’ and ‘infidels’... The righteous men, the ‘true believers’ of the day, have..tortured, scourged, or murdered them. 1954 J. Waten 11 He was the kind of migrant most beloved of fellow migrants, the true believer, forever optimistic,..never questioning any favourable report about Australia. 1987 (Nexis) 31 May vi. 17/5 Mrs. Thatcher purged the ‘wets’, or old-style, liberal Tories, from the Cabinet and replaced them with tax-cutting, capitalistic true-believers. 2005 8 Dec. 163/2 Fantastic Four is an insult to true believers and the general public alike. 1873 (U.S. Patent Office) 14 Jan. 391/2 After marking the material the strips may be cut along the line by ordinary scissors without pulling or stretching out of the true bias. 1914 E. M. Callahan & E. Berry 33 There are two general types of bias—true bias, and garment or dressmakers' bias. True bias crosses the warp and filling yarns at a 45-degree angle. 2005 S. J. Jenkins v. 151 Fabric cut on the true bias stretches, and gives a lively and draped quality to the garment. society > leisure > the arts > literature > prose > narrative or story > novel > [noun] > crime or detective novel society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > cinematography > a film > type of film > [noun] > other types 1923 2 Aug. 517/4 The Murder of M. Fualdès... One of the most extraordinary true crime stories ever known. 1954 June 38/2 We should take a sober look at some of the offerings of today's newsstands—especially the ‘confessions’ and ‘true crime’ magazines. 1971 2 Nov. 10/3 Friends since childhood and avid readers of detective fiction and true crime. 2005 Dec. 85/3 Horror stories, thrillers, supernatural creepies, true crime and humour, all from previously unpublished authors and just waiting to be downloaded. 1719 E. Hatton (ed. 7) ix. 150 This by some is called Discount, and is often practiced as it; but that is probable, because such Persons know not how to find the true Discount. 1858 16 July 540/1 Find both the true discount and the banker's discount on a bill of £250. 1912 12 Oct. 666/1 A deduction representing the price for the advance of money, the true discount on the transaction. 2004 111 333 The banker's discount on Rs.2,612. 8as for a certain time at 5 per cent. per annum is equal to the true discount on Rs.2,710. 7as. 6p. for the same time at the same rate. the mind > mental capacity > psychology > developmental psychology > acquisition of knowledge > test of mental ability > [adjective] > involving words 1923 P. B. Ballard vii. 80 The new examination comprised three tests, the first of which was of the True–False type. 1957 D. L. Bolinger in xxviii. 24 Yes–no Qs are essentially true–false Qs. 1965 N. E. Gronlund viii. 127 Some of the variations..deviate considerably from the simple true—false pattern. 1974 in H. G. Macintosh iii. 25 Other word pairs relating to the statement such as ‘greater than–less than’..‘faster–slower’ and so on. It is the possibilities offered by these other pairs which make the true/false form a particularly useful one. 2003 D. Lipsky iii. 202 At flight school, Whitey..has to complete true-false psychology tests. the world > space > relative position > quality of having sides or being a side > [noun] > fact of having distinct sides > one or other side or hand > the left > the left looking downhill or downstream 1869 39 54 We climbed on up the slopes on its true left bank. 1929 J. Buchan iii. iv. 344 Six men were perched high up among the rocks on the right side (what mountaineers would call the ‘true left’) of the couloir. 1971 19 Apr. 55/2 The ‘true left’ bank of the river..was the one on the lefthand side as you looked downstream. 2009 T. Weare (Lonely Planet) 61 The track crosses a road bridge to the true left, or west side of the gorge. the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > foundation in fact, validity > [adjective] > genuine, real 1868 J. H. Blunt I. viii. 449 This is the true-metal ring of the Book of Common Prayer. 1913 D. H. Lawrence 17 Dec. (1932) 166 She's most awfully jolly, and a fine true-metal sort that I love. the world > life > the body > digestive or excretive organs > digestive organs > mouth > types or spec. teeth > [noun] > molar 1825 R. Harlan 40 Cuvier gives as characteristic of his genus Condylura,..ten false molars, and six true molars. 1865 21 318 Besides the two young crania already mentioned, there is a third, of adolescent age, which contains the last milk-molar and the first true molar above and below. 1937 30 301 No evidence of replacement of the true molars has been seen, nor of a pre-lacteal series. 2002 22 336/1 The paraconid is less pointed than in a true molar and more shovel-like. 1915 27 Mar. 643/2 The method used in making examinations should be one in which a negative finding represents as nearly as possible a true negative. 1993 39 201/2 Sensitivity gives the proportion of test positives to true positives.., while the specificity gives the proportion of test negatives to true negatives. 2014 35 687/2 Because the number of true negatives (count d) was large, only a randomly selected 10% sample of true negatives was reviewed (count m). 1570 J. Dee in H. Billingsley tr. Euclid Math. Præf. sig. aiiijv Of the Variacion of the Compas, from true Northe. 1773 J. Draper 21 In most places there is a sensible deviation from true north. 2009 20 May 15/4 Grid north depends on the map one is using; it differs from true north, defined as the direction towards the geographic north pole. 1923 21 Apr. 673/2 If this is not done, pseudo-reactions, sometimes called traumatic reactions, may be accepted as true positives. 1991 S. Gorovitz viii. 142 The test identifies 98% of the disease victims with a positive test result, so it will produce 98 positives—true positives—from those 100 people. 2007 24 Feb. 9/2 ROC [= receiver operating characteristic] curves plot the proportion of false positives (in this case, offenders identified as high risk who do not offend again) on the horizontal axis against the proportion of true positives (similar ‘high-risk’ offenders who do reoffend) on the vertical axis. ?c1425 tr. Guy de Chauliac (Paris) (1971) 54 In eyþer side beþ 12 ribbes, þat is to say, 7 verray or trewe ribbes and 5 false or foule ribbes. 1615 H. Crooke 394 They are diuided into true or legitimate, & bastard or spurious ribs. 1849–52 IV. ii. 1032 A synovial membrane is interposed between the ends of each true rib, and the sternum. 1968 (rev. ed.) Gloss. 262 The front or true ribs are flat, with the back or false ribs well ‘sprung’ or hooped behind the saddle. 2001 D. Burnie 144/2 Daspletosaurus had an extra set of ribs, called gastralia, between its true ribs and its pelvis. the world > space > relative position > quality of having sides or being a side > [noun] > fact of having distinct sides > one or other side or hand > the right > the right looking downhill or downstream 1866 Sept. 353 They kept to their left, or on the (true) right side of the glacier, in order to take advantage of the shade. 1869 13 70 They climbed the slopes on the true right of the glacier. 1910 J. Buchan x. 177 We followed a narrow shelf on its left side (or ‘true right’, as mountaineers would call it). 2010 P. Freakley & V. Freakley 117 Continue on a rising path, now on the true right bank of the river. the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > sewn or ornamented textile fabric > [noun] > embroidery or ornamental sewing > done in specific stitches 1606 N. Breton sig. K2 He that was well begot, and truely bredde, Wrought all with true stitche, and both sides alike. 1609 B. Jonson ii. sig. C4 What true-stich sister? both your sides alike? View more context for this quotation 1898 Dec. 181 How can a he-thing treat ‘True-Stitch, Rock-work, Frost-work, and Mosse-work’ with adequate amplitude? the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > truthfulness, veracity > [noun] > truthful person c1400 (c1378) W. Langland (Laud 581) (1869) B. iii. l. 320 (MED) Thanne worth trewe-tonge a tidy man þat tened me neuere. the mind > mental capacity > understanding > intelligence, cleverness > wit, wittiness > [noun] > witty person 1616 B. Jonson Epicœne i. i. in I. 533 Well said, my Trve-wit . View more context for this quotation 1668 P. M. Myst. & Miracles Love iv. 60 in W. Charleton Transformed from an Ideot, a Bartholmew-Cokes, a Clown, to a Bon Esprit, a Virtuoso, a Truwitt. 1700 W. Congreve Ded. sig. A4 This Play had been Acted two or three Days, before some of these hasty Judges cou'd find the leisure to distinguish betwixt the Character of a Witwoud and a Truewit. 1740 C. Cibber 150 The coxcombly Follies of a Sir John Daw, might as well distinguish the Capacity of an Actor, as all the dry Enterprizes, and busy Conduct of a Truewit. 1975 28 430 A measure of complaisance was always expected of a truewit. C2. Adjectival compounds of the adverb. a. 1567 G. Fenton tr. M. Bandello f. 32 That vertue and bowntie whyche nature hathe appointed to occupie the hartes of theym that bee true noble. a1586 Sir P. Sidney (1590) i. xi. sig. G7v Such tokens of true felt sorrow. 1594 J. Sylvester tr. O. de La Noue sig. C4v This worlds fained sweet..Should be preferd before these seeming-sowres, that make vs Taste many true-sweet sweets. 1597 M. Drayton f. 40 By Englands conquest, and by Fraunce's oth, Thou art the true made dowager of both. a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) ii. vii. 9 A true-deuoted Pilgrime is not weary To measure Kingdomes with his feeble steps. View more context for this quotation a1616 W. Shakespeare (1623) i. iv. 54 Of an infinite distance From his true meant designe. View more context for this quotation 1704 E. Settle 9 There's the true-felt Loss, the killing Sound, The more then Babel-blast! 1815 L. Hunt (1923) 254 The notes..Suffice a true-touched ear. 1850 Ld. Tennyson (ed. 3) Concl. 172 Why Not make her true, heroic, true-sublime? 2013 D. Wurtzebach ii. i. 55 The true-felt gratitude I had expected to feel, had wanted to feel, was made to wait. 1538 T. Elyot Iustus, a iuste or rightuous man, an vpright and true meanynge manne. 1576 W. Lambarde 256 The opinion of any one true speaking man. 1597 W. Shakespeare iv. iv. 55 O vpright, iust, and true disposing God. View more context for this quotation 1604 T. Middleton To Rdr. sig. A4 A true spelling Printer. 1609 W. Shakespeare lxxxii. sig. F2 Thy true telling friend. View more context for this quotation 1656 T. Larkham i. 142 They were and are Orthodox and true judging men. 1749 J. Campbell tr. Artephius in tr. J. H. Cohausen (ed. 2) 167 I had learned all the art and perfect science in the books of the true speaking Hermes. 1859 J. Hinton iii. iii. 216 How should a true-seeing man speak of them otherwise? 1907 23 Feb. 3/2 These true-ringing, rough-hewn epistles. 1948 R. Graves 227 Trees, true-divining trees, Discover all your poet asks, Drumming on his brow. 1994 I. Doig in M. C. Blew (dust-jacket) The true-dealing clarity of her words. 2015 M. W. Bates iii. 112 Athanasius believes the eunuch was particularly concerned with theodramatic matters of first import—the time, subject matter, and especially the correct identification of the true speaking prosopon. ?1523 J. Fitzherbert f. lxiiv God loueth a glad gyuer: and that it be of true begotten goodes. 1597 W. Shakespeare iii. vii. 190 To draw out your royall stocke..Vnto a lineall true deriued course. View more context for this quotation 1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas ii. i. 329 This mighty World did seeme an Instrument True-strung, well-tun'd. 1644 E. Calver 31 Were we not false borne, or begot indeed, But of this Mother, true descended seed. 1709 S. Centlivre i. i. 8 He..scarce believes there's a true begotten Child in the City. 1876 C. E. Aiken ii. 36 Don Philip was a true mannered gentleman, and he did not forget it even now. 1891 Apr. 562 I have lived on good ale, and true-fed beef. 1971 10 June 1419/2 The introduction in the mid 1780's of true-fired gilding by the mercury process introduced from the Continent. 2006 (Nexis) 4 Dec. b3/3 I hope it's a true-run race. b. 1537 tr. Erasmus sig. B.viii The tabernacles is the congregacyon of all true beleuynge people in all or euery nacyon. 1797 J. G. Zimmerman Ess. National Pride in (1797) Feb. 170 Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but a true believing Mussulman. 1872 S. Borg & M. A. Brown tr. Z. Topelius i. iii. 53 The heretic prince.., impervious to the swords and bullets of the true-believing Catholics. 1962 N. E. Long xiii. 176 Such loyalty, hopefully in caricature, is bruited much abroad by Congressional committees and true believing patriots. 2001 14 Jan. 38/1 Admittedly, some of those true-believing inmates may have converted post-incarceration. 1903 4 243 It is obvious that in the germ-cells of true-breeding hybrids there can be no qualitative reduction. 1941 75 352 These inbred lines are not true breeding for a given level of fertility. 2009 R. J. Brooker (ed. 2) ii. 42 A cross was made between true-breeding flies with curved wings and gray bodies to flies with straight wings and ebony bodies. 1599 R. Linche sig. Hivv Ouer this garment she wore one other of all blacke..which was very thicke bespotted and adulterated with true-shapt starres of gold and siluer. 1609 N. Morgan l. 169 A perfect & true shaped horse. 1755 J. Smith i. §i. 5 To say, with certainty, what founding-house can boast of true-shaped letters, would be speaking with too much forwardness. 1823 June 134/2 A good and true-shaped horse is prized all the world over. 1988 R. Emerson xvi. 145 It was a slender blade, long and true-shaped, a joy of a blade. 1895 17 Dec. 5/1 Miss Rushton does not say what paper or letter is true signed. 1821 J. Clare I. 26 True-thought legends. Derivatives 1534 N. Udall f. 180 Videbitur magis uerisimile esse. It shal appere or seme to be more true lyke. 1647 S. Rutherford i. 55 That the Sunne that giveth light to all, is darke; that fire is cold, it's not true-like. 1860 8 Sept. 158/1 It is so true-like and so pretty a piece that I thought you might like to read it. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online June 2022). truev. Inflections: Present participle trueing, truing; Origin: Formed within English, by conversion. Etymon: true adj. the mind > mental capacity > belief > uncertainty, doubt, hesitation > absence of doubt, confidence > assured fact, certainty > making certain, assurance > assure, make certain [verb (transitive)] > establish as fact, ascertain 1647 N. Ward (ed. 4) 78 Easilier told then tryed or trued. the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > adapt or adjust [verb (transitive)] > adjust for accuracy 1838 2/2 The hilt of the cutter is bent at right angles, so as to make its cutting edge parallel with the face of the plate, for the purpose of truing the top. 1841 4 234/1 An apparatus for ‘truing up’ the wheels of carriages and engines on railways. a1877 E. H. Knight II. 1596/1 Buckets are turned on the outer and inner sides and the ends trued. 1889 P. N. Hasluck 84 The next thing is to true up the valve-face on the cylinder. 1932 T. E. Lawrence tr. Homer v Twenty trees in all he threw and axed into shape.., trimming them adeptly and trueing them against his straight-edge. 1977 R. Wright 23 I find that allowing for some contact or touch makes it easier to true the wheel. 1983 539/2 They are readily trued with a Crystolon abrasive stick. 1995 H. Bowen iv. 25/1 With the lathe running, rough down the scrap wood to a cylinder, then true up the end face. Derivatives the world > relative properties > order > agreement, harmony, or congruity > adaptation or adjustment > [noun] > adjustment for accuracy or smooth operation 1852 C. Tomlinson (1854) II. 142/1 The trueing of the lenses..being completed, the polishing is next proceeded with. 1897 A. C. Pemberton iii. 82 [The ‘jointless’ rim] takes even less trueing than a good wood rim. 1920 F. T. Hill 103 One set of cutters is used for both operations, the top table for the truing-up process..and the bottom table for thicknessing. 1998 Apr. 12/1 Keeping the tension even at this stage will make the final truing-up of the wheel far easier. 2002 10 May ii. 4/1 Now the artisan's craft of lacing and trueing is done by computer-controlled machine. This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2015; most recently modified version published online March 2022). <  adj.n.adv.int.OE v.1647 |
