Definitions & Meanings - English Dictionary

tri|ad / tr'aɪæd / (triads) The spelling Triad is also used for meaning 1 . 1 [N-COUNT] usu pl, oft N n The Triads were Chinese secret societies in old China. 2 [N-COUNT] oft N of n A triad is a group of three similar things. (FORMAL) For the faculty, there exists the triad of responsibilities: teaching, research, and service.

tri|age / tr'iːɑːʒ / [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n Triage is the process of quickly examining sick or injured people, for example after an accident or a battle, so that those who are in the most serious condition can be treated first. (MEDICAL) ...the triage process.

♦♦ tri|al / tr'aɪəl / (trials) 1 [N-VAR] A trial is a formal meeting in a law court, at which a judge and jury listen to evidence and decide whether a person is guilty of a crime. New evidence showed the police lied at the trial... He's awaiting trial in a military court on charges of plotting against the state... They believed that his case would never come to trial. 2 [N-VAR] A trial is an experiment in which you test something by using it or doing it for a period of time to see how well it works. If something is on trial , it is being tested in this way. They have been treated with this drug in clinical trials... The robots have been on trial for the past year... 3 [N-COUNT] usu sing, also on N If someone gives you a trial for a job, or if you are on trial , you do the job for a short period of time to see if you are suitable for it. He had just given a trial to a young woman who said she had previous experience... 4 [N-COUNT] usu pl, N of...

tri|an|gle / tr'aɪæŋg ə l / (triangles) 1 [N-COUNT] A triangle is an object, arrangement, or flat shape with three straight sides and three angles. Its outline roughly forms an equilateral triangle. ...triangles of fried bread. 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, the N The triangle is a musical instrument that consists of a piece of metal shaped like a triangle. You play it by hitting it with a short metal bar. 3 [N-COUNT] usu sing, with supp If you describe a group of three people as a triangle , you mean that they are all connected with each other in a particular situation, but often have different interests. She plays a French woman in a love triangle with Jonathan Pryce and Christopher Walken. see also eternal triangle eter|nal tri|an|gle (eternal triangles) [N-COUNT] usu sing You use the eternal triangle to refer to a relationship involving love and jealousy between two men and a woman or two women and a man. love tri|an|gle (love triangles) [N-COUNT] usu ...

tri|an|gu|lar / traɪ'æŋgjʊlə r / 1 [ADJ] Something that is triangular is in the shape of a triangle. ...cottages around a triangular green. 2 [ADJ] You can describe a relationship or situation as triangular if it involves three people or things. One particular triangular relationship became the model of Simone's first novel.

tri|ath|lon / traɪ'æθlɒn / (triathlons) [N-COUNT] usu sing A triathlon is an athletics competition in which each competitor takes part in three events; swimming, cycling, and running.

trib|al / tr'aɪb ə l / [ADJ] usu ADJ n Tribal is used to describe things relating to or belonging to tribes and the way that they are organized. They would go back to their tribal lands.

trib|al|ism / tr'aɪbəlɪzəm / 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Tribalism is the state of existing as a tribe. Apartheid used tribalism as the basis of its `divide-and-rule' homeland policies. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] You can use tribalism to refer to the loyalties that people feel towards particular social groups and to the way these loyalties affect their behaviour and their attitudes towards others. His argument was that multi-party systems encourage tribalism.

tribe / tr'aɪb / (tribes) 1 [N-COUNT-COLL] Tribe is sometimes used to refer to a group of people of the same race, language, and customs, especially in a developing country. Some people disapprove of this use. ...three-hundred members of the Xhosa tribe. 2 [N-COUNT-COLL] usu N of n, adj N You can use tribe to refer to a group of people who are all doing the same thing or who all behave in the same way. (mainly HUMOROUS, INFORMAL) ...tribes of talented young people.

tribes|man / tr'aɪbzmən / (tribesmen) [N-COUNT] A tribesman is a man who belongs to a tribe.

tribu|la|tion / tr'ɪbjʊl'eɪʃ ə n / (tribulations) [N-VAR] You can refer to the suffering or difficulty that you experience in a particular situation as tribulations . (FORMAL) ...the trials and tribulations of everyday life.

tri|bu|nal / traɪbj'uːn ə l / (tribunals) [N-COUNT-COLL] A tribunal is a special court or committee that is appointed to deal with particular problems. His case comes before an industrial tribunal in March. ap|peal tri|bu|nal (appeal tribunals) [N-COUNT] An appeal tribunal is a special court or committee that is formed to reconsider a decision made by another court or committee.

tribu|tary / tr'ɪbjʊtəri, AM -teri / (tributaries) [N-COUNT] oft N n A tributary is a stream or river that flows into a larger one. ...the Napo river, a tributary of the Amazon.

trib|ute / tr'ɪbjuːt / (tributes) 1 [N-VAR] usu N to n A tribute is something that you say, do, or make to show your admiration and respect for someone. The song is a tribute to Roy Orbison... He paid tribute to the organising committee... 2 [N-SING] a N, usu N to n, N to n that If one thing is a tribute to another, the first thing is the result of the second and shows how good it is. His success has been a tribute to hard work, to professionalism... trib|ute band (tribute bands) [N-COUNT] A tribute band is a pop group that plays the music and copies the style of another, much more famous, pop group. ...a Beatles tribute band, the Prefab Four.

trice / tr'aɪs / [PHRASE] PHR with v, PHR with cl If someone does something in a trice , they do it very quickly. He will sew it up in a trice... She was back in a trice.

tri|ceps / tr'aɪseps / (triceps) [N-COUNT] Your triceps is the muscle in the back part of your upper arm.

♦ trick / tr'ɪk / (tricks tricking tricked) 1 [N-COUNT] A trick is an action that is intended to deceive someone. We are playing a trick on a man who keeps bothering me. 2 [VERB] V n, V n into -ing/n, V way prep/adv If someone tricks you, they deceive you, often in order to make you do something. Stephen is going to be pretty upset when he finds out how you tricked him... His family tricked him into going to Pakistan, and once he was there, they took away his passport... His real purpose is to trick his way into your home to see what he can steal. 3 [N-COUNT] A trick is a clever or skilful action that someone does in order to entertain people. He shows me card tricks. 4 [N-COUNT] A trick is a clever way of doing something. Tiffany revamped her sitting room with simple decorative tricks. 5 see also confidence trick , conjuring trick , 6 [PHRASE] V inflects If something does the trick , it achieves what you wanted. (INFORMAL) Sometime...

trick|ery / tr'ɪkəri / [N-UNCOUNT] Trickery is the use of dishonest methods in order to achieve something.

trick|le / tr'ɪk ə l / (trickles trickling trickled) 1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V n When a liquid trickles , or when you trickle it, it flows slowly in very small amounts. A tear trickled down the old man's cheek... Trickle water gently over the back of your baby's head... [N-COUNT] usu sing Trickle is also a noun. There was not so much as a trickle of water. 2 [VERB] V adv/prep When people or things trickle in a particular direction, they move there slowly in small groups or amounts, rather than all together. Some donations are already trickling in. [N-COUNT] usu sing Trickle is also a noun. The flood of cars has now slowed to a trickle...

trick|ster / tr'ɪkstə r / (tricksters) [N-COUNT] A trickster is a person who deceives or cheats people, often in order to get money from them. (INFORMAL)

tricky / tr'ɪki / (trickier trickiest) 1 [ADJ] If you describe a task or problem as tricky , you mean that it is difficult to do or deal with. Parking can be tricky in the town centre... 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n If you describe a person as tricky , you mean that they are likely to deceive you or cheat you.

tri|cy|cle / tr'aɪsɪk ə l / (tricycles) [N-COUNT] A tricycle is a cycle with three wheels, two at the back and one at the front. Tricycles are usually ridden by children.

tried / tr'aɪd / [ADJ] ADJ and adj Tried is used in the expressions tried and tested , tried and trusted , and tried and true , which describe a product or method that has already been used and has been found to be successful. ...over 1000 tried-and-tested recipes... see also try , well-tried

tri|er / tr'aɪə r / (triers) [N-COUNT] If you say that someone is a trier , you approve of them because they try very hard at things that they do, although they are not often successful. (BRIT) He may not always achieve greatness but at least he's a trier.

tri|fle / tr'aɪf ə l / (trifles trifling trifled) 1 [PHRASE] PHR adj/adv/prep You can use a trifle to mean slightly or to a small extent, especially in order make something you say seem less extreme. As a photographer, he'd found both locations just a trifle disappointing... 2 [N-COUNT] A trifle is something that is considered to have little importance, value, or significance. He had no money to spare on trifles... 3 [N-VAR] Trifle is a cold dessert made of layers of sponge cake, jelly, fruit, and custard, and usually covered with cream. trifle with [PHRASAL VERB] usu with brd-neg, be V-ed P, V P n If you say that someone is not a person to be trifled with , you are indicating to other people that they must treat that person with respect. He was not someone to be trifled with... No man in Tabriz trifled with the executioner.

tri|fling / tr'aɪfəlɪŋ / [ADJ] oft a ADJ amount A trifling matter is small and unimportant. Outside California these difficulties may seem fairly trifling. ...a comparatively trifling 360 yards. = trivial

♦ trig|ger / tr'ɪgə r / (triggers triggering triggered) 1 [N-COUNT] The trigger of a gun is a small lever which you pull to fire it. A man pointed a gun at them and pulled the trigger. 2 [N-COUNT] oft N n The trigger of a bomb is the device which causes it to explode. ...trigger devices for nuclear weapons. 3 [VERB] V n To trigger a bomb or system means to cause it to work. The thieves must have deliberately triggered the alarm and hidden inside the house... = activate 4 [VERB] V n If something triggers an event or situation, it causes it to begin to happen or exist. ...the incident which triggered the outbreak of the First World War... [PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), also V n P Trigger off means the same as trigger . It is still not clear what events triggered off the demonstrations. 5 [N-COUNT] oft N for n If something acts as a trigger for another thing such as an illness, event, or situation, the first thing causes the second th...

trigo|nom|etry / tr'ɪgən'ɒmɪtri / [N-UNCOUNT] Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics that is concerned with calculating the angles of triangles or the lengths of their sides.

trike / tr'aɪk / (trikes) [N-COUNT] A trike is a child's tricycle . (INFORMAL)

tril|by / tr'ɪlbi / (trilbies) [N-COUNT] A trilby or a trilby hat is a man's hat which is made of felt and has a groove along the top from front to back. (BRIT)

trill / tr'ɪl / (trills trilling trilled) 1 [VERB] V If a bird trills , it sings with short, high-pitched, repeated notes. At one point a bird trilled in the Conservatory. 2 [VERB] V with quote If you say that a woman trills , you mean that she talks or laughs in a high-pitched voice which sounds rather musical but which also sounds rather irritating. `How adorable!' she trills. 3 [N-COUNT] A trill is the playing of two musical notes repeatedly and quickly one after the other. (TECHNICAL)

tril|lion / tr'ɪljən / (trillions) The plural form is trillion after a number, or after a word or expression referring to a number, such as `several' or `a few'. [NUM] usu a/num NUM A trillion is a million million. Between July 1st and October 1st, the central bank printed over 2 trillion roubles.

tril|ogy / tr'ɪlədʒi / (trilogies) [N-COUNT] oft N of n, supp N A trilogy is a series of three books, plays, or films that have the same subject or the same characters.

trim / tr'ɪm / (trimmer trimmest trims trimming trimmed) 1 [ADJ] Something that is trim is neat, tidy, and attractive. The neighbours' gardens were trim and neat. 2 [ADJ] If you describe someone's figure as trim , you mean that it is attractive because there is no extra fat on their body. The driver was a trim young woman of perhaps thirty. 3 [VERB] V n If you trim something, for example someone's hair, you cut off small amounts of it in order to make it look neater and tidier. My friend trims my hair every eight weeks... [N-SING] Trim is also a noun. His hair needed a trim. 4 [VERB] V n If a government or other organization trims something such as a plan, policy, or amount, they reduce it slightly in extent or size. American companies looked at ways they could trim these costs... 5 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed with n If something such as a piece of clothing is trimmed with a type of material or design, it is decorated with i...

tri|ma|ran / tr'aɪməræn / (trimarans) [N-COUNT] A trimaran is a fast sailing boat similar to a catamaran, but with three hulls instead of two.

trim|ming / tr'ɪmɪŋ / (trimmings) 1 [N-VAR] usu supp N The trimming on something such as a piece of clothing is the decoration, for example along its edges, that is in a different colour or material. ...the lace trimming on her satin nightgown. = trim 2 [N-PLURAL] Trimmings are pieces of something, usually food, which are left over after you have cut what you need. Use any pastry trimmings to decorate the apples. 3 [PHRASE] with/and PHR If you say that something comes with all the trimmings , you mean that it has many extra things added to it to make it more special. They were married with all the trimmings, soon after graduation.

trin|ket / tr'ɪŋkɪt / (trinkets) [N-COUNT] A trinket is a pretty piece of jewellery or small ornament that is inexpensive.

trio / tr'iːoʊ / (trios) [N-COUNT-COLL] A trio is a group of three people together, especially musicians or singers, or a group of three things that have something in common.

♦♦ trip / tr'ɪp / (trips tripping tripped) 1 [N-COUNT] A trip is a journey that you make to a particular place. On the Thursday we went out on a day trip... Mark was sent to the Far East on a business trip. see also round trip 2 [VERB] V, V on/over n If you trip when you are walking, you knock your foot against something and fall or nearly fall. She tripped and fell last night and broke her hip... He tried to follow Jack's footsteps in the snow and tripped on a rock... [PHRASAL VERB] V P, V P on/over n Trip up means the same as trip . I tripped up and hurt my foot... Make sure trailing flexes are kept out of the way so you don't trip up over them. 3 [VERB] V n If you trip someone who is walking or running, you put your foot or something else in front of them, so that they knock their own foot against it and fall or nearly fall. One guy stuck his foot out and tried to trip me. [PHRASAL VERB] V n P Trip up means the same as tri...

tri|par|tite / traɪp'ɑː r taɪt / [ADJ] usu ADJ n You can use tripartite to describe something that has three parts or that involves three groups of people. (FORMAL) ...tripartite meetings between Government ministers, trades union leaders and industrialists.

tripe / tr'aɪp / 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Tripe is the stomach of a pig, cow, or ox which is eaten as food. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] You refer to something that someone has said or written as tripe when you think that it is silly and worthless. (INFORMAL) I've never heard such a load of tripe in all my life. = rubbish

tri|ple / tr'ɪp ə l / (triples tripling tripled) 1 [ADJ] ADJ n Triple means consisting of three things or parts. ...a triple somersault... In 1882 Germany, Austria, and Italy formed the Triple Alliance. 2 [VERB] V, V in n, V n If something triples or if you triple it, it becomes three times as large in size or number. I got a fantastic new job and my salary tripled... The Exhibition has tripled in size from last year... The merger puts the firm in a position to triple its earnings. = treble 3 [PREDET] PREDET the n If something is triple the amount or size of another thing, it is three times as large. The mine reportedly had an accident rate triple the national average... = treble tri|ple jump [N-SING] usu the N The triple jump is an athletic event in which competitors have to jump as far as they can, and are allowed to touch the ground once with each foot in the course of the jump.

tri|plet / tr'ɪplət / (triplets) [N-COUNT] usu pl Triplets are three children born at the same time to the same mother.

tri|pod / tr'aɪpɒd / (tripods) [N-COUNT] A tripod is a stand with three legs that is used to support something such as a camera or a telescope.

trip|per / tr'ɪpə r / (trippers) [N-COUNT] A tripper is a person who is on a trip or on holiday. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL) ...when the shops shut and the trippers go home. see also day-tripper

trip|tych / tr'ɪptɪk / (triptychs) [N-COUNT] A triptych is a painting or a carving on three panels that are usually joined together by hinges.

trite / tr'aɪt / [ADJ] If you say that something such as an idea, remark, or story is trite , you mean that it is dull and boring because it has been said or told too many times. The movie is teeming with obvious and trite ideas... = clichéd

♦ tri|umph / tr'aɪʌmf / (triumphs triumphing triumphed) 1 [N-VAR] A triumph is a great success or achievement, often one that has been gained with a lot of skill or effort. The championships proved to be a personal triumph for the coach, Dave Donovan... Cataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery, with a success rate of more than 90 percent... 2 [N-UNCOUNT] Triumph is a feeling of great satisfaction and pride resulting from a success or victory. Her sense of triumph was short-lived... 3 [VERB] V, V over n If someone or something triumphs , they gain complete success, control, or victory, often after a long or difficult struggle. All her life, Kelly had stuck with difficult tasks and challenges, and triumphed... The whole world looked to her as a symbol of good triumphing over evil.

tri|um|phal / traɪ'ʌmf ə l / [ADJ] usu ADJ n Triumphal is used to describe things that are done or made to celebrate a victory or great success. He made a triumphal entry into the city...

tri|um|phant / traɪ'ʌmfənt / [ADJ] Someone who is triumphant has gained a victory or succeeded in something and feels very happy about it. The captain's voice was triumphant... This trip was not like his first triumphant return home in 1990. ● triumphantly [ADV] ADV with v, ADV with cl They marched triumphantly into the capital.

tri|um|vi|rate / traɪ'ʌmvɪrət / [N-SING-COLL] oft N of n A triumvirate is a group of three people who work together, especially when they are in charge of something. (FORMAL) ...the triumvirate of women who worked together on the TV dramatisation of the novel.

trivia / tr'ɪviə / 1 [N-UNCOUNT] Trivia is unimportant facts or details that are considered to be amusing rather than serious or useful. The two men chatted about such trivia as their favourite kinds of fast food... 2 [ADJ] ADJ n A trivia game or competition is one where the competitors are asked questions about interesting but unimportant facts in many subjects. ...a pub trivia game.

triv|ial / tr'ɪviəl / [ADJ] If you describe something as trivial , you think that it is unimportant and not serious. The director tried to wave aside these issues as trivial details that could be settled later...

trivi|al|ity / tr'ɪvi'ælɪti / (trivialities) [N-VAR] If you refer to something as a triviality , you think that it is unimportant and not serious. He accused me of making a great fuss about trivialities... Interviews with politicians were juxtaposed with news items of quite astonishing triviality.

trivi|al|ize / tr'ɪviəlaɪz / (trivializes trivializing trivialized) in BRIT, also use trivialise [VERB] V n If you say that someone trivializes something important, you disapprove of them because they make it seem less important, serious, and complex than it is. It never ceases to amaze me how the business world continues to trivialize the world's environmental problems.

trod / tr'ɒd / Trod is the past tense of tread .

trod|den / tr'ɒd ə n / Trodden is the past participle of tread .

trog|lo|dyte / tr'ɒglədaɪt / (troglodytes) 1 [N-COUNT] A troglodyte is someone who lives in a cave. (FORMAL) 2 [N-COUNT] If you refer to someone as a troglodyte , you mean that they are unsophisticated and do not know very much about anything. He dismissed advocates of a completely free market as economic troglodytes with no concern for the social consequences.

troi|ka / tr'ɔɪkə / (troikas) [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N of n Journalists sometimes refer to a group of three powerful politicians or states as a troika . ...leader of the troika of past, present and future presidents...

troll / tr'ɒl, tr'oʊl / (trolls trolling trolled) 1 [N-COUNT] In Scandinavian mythology, trolls are creatures who look like ugly people. They live in caves or on mountains and steal children. 2 [VERB] V prep/adv If you troll somewhere, you go there in a casual and unhurried way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL) I trolled along to see Michael Frayn's play, `Noises Off'... 3 [VERB] V through n If you troll through papers or files, you look through them in a fairly casual way. (mainly BRIT INFORMAL) Trolling through the files revealed a photograph of me drinking coffee in the office.

trol|ley / tr'ɒli / (trolleys) 1 [N-COUNT] A trolley is an object with wheels that you use to transport heavy things such as shopping or luggage. (BRIT; in AM, use cart ) A porter relieved her of the three large cases she had been pushing on a trolley. ...supermarket trolleys. 2 [N-COUNT] A trolley is a small table on wheels which is used for serving drinks or food. (BRIT; in AM, use cart ) 3 [N-COUNT] A trolley is a bed on wheels for moving patients in hospital. (BRIT; in AM, use gurney ) 4 [N-COUNT] A trolley or trolley car is an electric vehicle for carrying people which travels on rails in the streets of a town. (AM; in BRIT, use tram ) He took a northbound trolley on State Street. = streetcar 5 [PHRASE] usu v-link PHR If you say that someone is off their trolley , you mean that their ideas or behaviour are very strange. (BRIT INFORMAL) = mad shop|ping trol|ley (shopping trolleys) [N-COUNT] A shopping trolley is a large metal baske...

trom|bone / trɒmb'oʊn / (trombones) [N-VAR] oft the N A trombone is a large musical instrument of the brass family. It consists of two long oval tubes, one of which can be pushed backwards and forwards to play different notes.

trom|bon|ist / trɒmb'oʊnɪst / (trombonists) [N-COUNT] A trombonist is someone who plays the trombone.

trompe l'oeil / tr'ɒmp l'ɔɪ / (trompe l'oeils) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N n Trompe l'oeil is a technique used in art in which objects are painted their normal size in a very realistic way, to make people think that the objects are solid and real. ...a trompe l'oeil painting. 2 [N-COUNT] A trompe l'oeil is a trompe l'oeil painting.

♦♦ troop / tr'uːp / (troops trooping trooped) 1 [N-PLURAL] Troops are soldiers, especially when they are in a large organized group doing a particular task. The next phase of the operation will involve the deployment of more than 35,000 troops from a dozen countries... 2 [N-COUNT-COLL] A troop is a group of soldiers within a cavalry or armoured regiment. ...a troop of enemy cavalry trotting towards the Dutch right flank. 3 [N-COUNT] N of n A troop of people or animals is a group of them. Amy was aware of the little troop of travellers watching the two of them... 4 [VERB] V adv/prep If people troop somewhere, they walk there in a group, often in a sad or tired way. (INFORMAL) They all trooped back to the house for a rest...

troop|er / tr'uːpə r / (troopers) 1 [N-COUNT; N-TITLE] A trooper is a soldier of low rank in the cavalry or in an armoured regiment in the army. ...a trooper from the 7th Cavalry... 2 [N-COUNT] In the United States, a trooper is a police officer in a state police force. Once long ago he had considered becoming a state trooper. 3 see also storm trooper storm troop|er (storm troopers) also stormtrooper [N-COUNT] Storm troopers were members of a private Nazi army who were well-known for being violent.

shock troops [N-PLURAL] Shock troops are soldiers who are specially trained to carry out a quick attack.

troop|ship / tr'uːpʃɪp / (troopships) also troop ship [N-COUNT] A troopship is a ship on which large numbers of soldiers are taken from one place to another.

tro|phy / tr'oʊfi / (trophies) 1 [N-COUNT] A trophy is a prize, for example a silver cup, that is given to the winner of a competition or race. 2 [N-IN-NAMES] Trophy is used in the names of some competitions and races in which the winner receives a trophy. He finished third in the Tote Gold Trophy. 3 [N-COUNT] A trophy is something that you keep in order to show that you have done something very difficult. His office was lined with animal heads, trophies of his hunting hobby.

tropi|cal / tr'ɒpɪk ə l / 1 [ADJ] ADJ n Tropical means belonging to or typical of the tropics. ...tropical diseases. ...a plan to preserve the world's tropical forests. 2 [ADJ] Tropical weather is hot and damp weather that people believe to be typical of the tropics.

trop|ics / tr'ɒpɪks / [N-PLURAL] the N The tropics are the parts of the world that lie between two lines of latitude, the tropic of Cancer, 23½° north of the equator, and the tropic of Capricorn, 23½° south of the equator.

trot / tr'ɒt / (trots trotting trotted) 1 [VERB] V prep/adv, V If you trot somewhere, you move fairly fast at a speed between walking and running, taking small quick steps. I trotted down the steps and out to the shed... A small shabby man was trotting beside Bardi trying to get his attention. [N-SING] Trot is also a noun. He walked briskly, but without breaking into a trot. 2 [VERB] V, V prep/adv When an animal such as a horse trots , it moves fairly fast, taking quick small steps. You can also say that the rider of the animal is trotting . Alan took the reins and the small horse started trotting... Pete got on his horse and started trotting across the field. [N-SING] Trot is also a noun. As they started up again, the horse broke into a brisk trot. 3 [PHRASE] PHR after v If something happens several times on the trot , it happens that number of times without a break. (BRIT INFORMAL) She lost five games on the trot... = in a row trot ou...

trot|ter / tr'ɒtə r / (trotters) [N-COUNT] usu pl Trotters are pig's feet which you can cook and eat. (BRIT)

trou|ba|dour / tr'uːbədɔː r / (troubadours) 1 [N-COUNT] Troubadours were poets and singers who used to travel around and perform to noble families in Italy and France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. 2 [N-COUNT] People sometimes refer to popular singers as troubadours , especially when the words of their songs are an important part of their music.

♦♦ trou|ble / tr'ʌb ə l / (troubles troubling troubled) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] oft in N, also N in pl You can refer to problems or difficulties as trouble . I had trouble parking... You've caused us a lot of trouble... The plane developed engine trouble soon after taking off... The crew are in serious trouble in 50-knot winds and huge seas... The Sullivans continued to have financial troubles. 2 [N-SING] usu the N If you say that one aspect of a situation is the trouble , you mean that it is the aspect which is causing problems or making the situation unsatisfactory. The trouble is that these restrictions have remained while other things have changed... Your trouble is that you can't take rejection. = problem 3 [N-PLURAL] usu poss N Your troubles are the things that you are worried about. She kept her troubles to herself. 4 [N-UNCOUNT] n N, N with n If you have kidney trouble or back trouble , for example, there is something wrong with ...

trou|bled / tr'ʌb ə ld / 1 [ADJ] Someone who is troubled is worried because they have problems. Rose sounded deeply troubled... 2 [ADJ] usu ADJ n A troubled place, situation, organization, or time has many problems or conflicts. There is much we can do to help this troubled country... 3 to pour oil on troubled waters: see oil

trouble|maker / tr'ʌb ə lmeɪkə r / (troublemakers) [N-COUNT] If you refer to someone as a troublemaker , you mean that they cause unpleasantness, quarrels, or fights, especially by encouraging people to oppose authority.

teeth|ing trou|bles [N-PLURAL] Teething troubles are the same as teething problems . (BRIT) As the director of the project explains, there are still a few teething troubles to overcome.

trouble|shooter / tr'ʌb ə lʃuːtə r / (troubleshooters) also trouble-shooter [N-COUNT] A troubleshooter is a person whose job is to solve major problems or difficulties that occur in a company or government.

trouble|shooting / tr'ʌb ə lʃuːtɪŋ / [N-UNCOUNT] Troubleshooting is the activity or process of solving major problems or difficulties that occur in a company or government.

trou|ble|some / tr'ʌb ə lsəm / 1 [ADJ] You use troublesome to describe something or someone that causes annoying problems or difficulties. He needed surgery to cure a troublesome back injury... 2 [ADJ] A troublesome situation or issue is full of complicated problems or difficulties. The economy has become a troublesome issue for the Conservative Party.

trough / tr'ɒf, AM tr'ɔːf / (troughs) 1 [N-COUNT] A trough is a long narrow container from which farm animals drink or eat. 2 [N-COUNT] A trough is a low area between two big waves on the sea. The boat rolled heavily in the troughs between the waves. 3 [N-COUNT] A trough is a low point in a process that has regular high and low points, for example a period in business when people do not produce as much as usual. Looking back afterwards you will see that this was not a terminal trough in your career... 4 [N-COUNT] A trough of low pressure is a long narrow area of low air pressure between two areas of higher pressure. (TECHNICAL)

trounce / tr'aʊns / (trounces trouncing trounced) [VERB] V n If you trounce someone in a competition or contest, you defeat them easily or by a large score. (INFORMAL) In Rugby League, Australia trounced France by sixty points to four. = thrash

troupe / tr'uːp / (troupes) [N-COUNT-COLL] oft N of n A troupe is a group of actors, singers, or dancers who work together and often travel around together, performing in different places. ...troupes of travelling actors. = company

troup|er / tr'uːpə r / (troupers) [N-COUNT] You can refer to an actor or other performer as a trouper , especially when you want to suggest that they have a lot of experience and can deal with difficult situations in a professional way. Like the old trouper he is, he timed his entry to perfection.

trou|ser / tr'aʊzə r / (trousers trousering trousered) [VERB] V n If you say that someone trousers a sum of money, you mean that they receive it, usually when they do not deserve it or should not take it. (BRIT INFORMAL) Many people think that ex-ministers are trousering £25,000 in fees simply for going to a few board meetings a year. trou|ser suit (trouser suits) [N-COUNT] A trouser suit is women's clothing consisting of a pair of trousers and a jacket which are made from the same material. (BRIT; in AM, use pantsuit , pants suit )

trou|sers / tr'aʊzə r z / The form trouser is used as a modifier. 1 [N-PLURAL] also a pair of N Trousers are a piece of clothing that you wear over your body from the waist downwards, and that cover each leg separately. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use pants ) He was smartly dressed in a shirt, dark trousers and boots... Alexander rolled up his trouser legs. 2 to wear the trousers: see wear com|bat trou|sers [N-PLURAL] also a pair of N Combat trousers are large, loose trousers with lots of pockets. He was wearing black combat trousers and a hooded fleece.

trous|seau / tr'uːsoʊ / (trousseaux) [N-COUNT] A trousseau is a collection of clothes and other possessions that a bride brings with her when she gets married. (OLD-FASHIONED)

trout / tr'aʊt / (troutor trouts) [N-VAR] A trout is a fairly large fish that lives in rivers and streams. [N-UNCOUNT] Trout is this fish eaten as food.

trove / tr'oʊv / see treasure trove treas|ure trove (treasure troves) 1 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N of n If you describe something or someone as a treasure trove of a particular thing, you mean that they are a very good or rich source of that thing. The dictionary is a vast treasure trove of information... 2 [N-COUNT] usu sing, oft N for n You can refer to a collection of valuable objects as a treasure trove .

trow|el / tr'aʊəl / (trowels) 1 [N-COUNT] A trowel is a small garden tool which you use for digging small holes or removing weeds. 2 [N-COUNT] A trowel is a small tool with a flat blade that you use for spreading things such as cement and plaster onto walls and other surfaces.

tru|an|cy / tr'uːənsi / [N-UNCOUNT] Truancy is when children stay away from school without permission.

tru|ant / tr'uːənt / (truants truanting truanted) 1 [N-COUNT] A truant is a pupil who stays away from school without permission. 2 [VERB] V If a pupil truants , he or she stays away from school without permission. In his fourth year he was truanting regularly. ● truanting [N-UNCOUNT] Truanting is a small but growing problem in primary schools. = truancy 3 [PHRASE] V inflects, oft PHR from n If a pupil plays truant , he or she stays away from school without permission. She was getting into trouble over playing truant from school.

truce / tr'uːs / (truces) [N-COUNT] A truce is an agreement between two people or groups of people to stop fighting or quarrelling for a short time. The fighting of recent days has given way to an uneasy truce between the two sides... Let's call a truce.

♦ truck / tr'ʌk / (trucks trucking trucked) 1 [N-COUNT] A truck is a large vehicle that is used to transport goods by road. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use lorry ) 2 [N-COUNT] usu supp N A truck is an open vehicle used for carrying goods on a railway. (BRIT; in AM, use freight car ) They were loaded on the railway trucks to go to Liverpool. 3 [VERB] usu passive, be V-ed prep/adv When something or someone is trucked somewhere, they are driven there in a lorry. (mainly AM) The liquor was sold legally and trucked out of the state. 4 [PHRASE] V inflects, PHR n If you say that you will have no truck with someone or something, you are refusing to be involved with them in any way. He would have no truck with deceit... dump truck (dump trucks) [N-COUNT] A dump truck is a truck whose carrying part can be tipped backwards so that the load falls out. dump|er truck (dumper trucks) [N-COUNT] A dumper truck is the same as a dump truck . (BRIT) fire truc...

truck|er / tr'ʌkə r / (truckers) [N-COUNT] A trucker is someone who drives a truck as their job. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use lorry driver )

truck|ing / tr'ʌkɪŋ / [N-UNCOUNT] usu N n Trucking is the activity of transporting goods from one place to another using trucks. (mainly AM; in BRIT, use haulage ) ...the deregulation of the trucking industry.

truck|load / tr'ʌkloʊd / (truckloads) also truck load [N-COUNT] usu N of n A truckload of goods or people is the amount of them that a truck can carry. Truckloads of food, blankets, and other necessities reached the city.

trucu|lent / tr'ʌkjʊlənt / [ADJ] If you say that someone is truculent , you mean that they are bad-tempered and aggressive. = belligerent ● truculence [N-UNCOUNT] `Your secretary said you'd be wanting a cleaner,' she announced with her usual truculence. = belligerence

trudge / tr'ʌdʒ / (trudges trudging trudged) [VERB] V prep/adv If you trudge somewhere, you walk there slowly and with heavy steps, especially because you are tired or unhappy. We had to trudge up the track back to the station. [N-SING] Trudge is also a noun. We were reluctant to start the long trudge home.

♦♦ true / tr'uː / (truer truest) 1 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ that If something is true , it is based on facts rather than being invented or imagined, and is accurate and reliable. Everything I had heard about him was true... The film tells the true story of a group who survived in the Andes in sub-zero temperatures. 2 [ADJ] ADJ n You use true to emphasize that a person or thing is sincere or genuine, often in contrast to something that is pretended or hidden. I allowed myself to acknowledge my true feelings... The true cost often differs from that which had first been projected... = real 3 [ADJ] ADJ n If you use true to describe something or someone, you approve of them because they have all the characteristics or qualities that such a person or thing typically has. Maybe one day you'll find true love... The ability to work collaboratively is a true test of leadership... I think he's a true genius. = real 4 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of/for n ...

truf|fle / tr'ʌf ə l / (truffles) 1 [N-COUNT] A truffle is a soft round sweet made with chocolate and usually flavoured with rum. 2 [N-COUNT] A truffle is a round type of fungus which is expensive and considered very good to eat.

trug / tr'ʌg / (trugs) [N-COUNT] A trug is a wide, shallow, oval basket used for carrying garden tools, flowers, or plants. (BRIT)

tru|ism / tr'uːɪzəm / (truisms) [N-COUNT] A truism is a statement that is generally accepted as obviously true and is repeated so often that it has become boring. Orpington seems an example of the truism that nothing succeeds like success... = cliché

♦ tru|ly / tr'uːli / 1 [ADV] ADV group, ADV before v You use truly to emphasize that something has all the features or qualities of a particular thing, or is the case to the fullest possible extent. ...a truly democratic system... Not all doctors truly understand the reproductive cycle... 2 [ADV] ADV adj You can use truly in order to emphasize your description of something. ...a truly splendid man... They were truly appalling. 3 [ADV] ADV adj, ADV before v You use truly to emphasize that feelings are genuine and sincere. Believe me, Susan, I am truly sorry... 4 well and truly: see well 5 [CONVENTION] You write Yours truly at the end of a formal letter to someone you do not know very well. You write your signature after the words `Yours truly'. Yours truly, Phil Turner. 6 [PHRASE] You can say yours truly as a way of referring to yourself. (HUMOROUS, INFORMAL) Yours truly was awoken by a shout: `Ahoy there!'

trump / tr'ʌmp / (trumps trumping trumped) 1 [N-UNCOUNT-COLL] In a game of cards, trumps is the suit which is chosen to have the highest value in one particular game. Hearts are trumps. 2 [N-COUNT] In a game of cards, a trump is a playing card which belongs to the suit which has been chosen as trumps. He played a trump. 3 [VERB] V n If you trump what someone has said or done, you beat it by saying or doing something else that seems better. The Socialists tried to trump this with their slogan... 4 [PHRASE] poss PHR Your trump card is something powerful that you can use or do, which gives you an advantage over someone. In the end, the Ten took their appeal to the Supreme Court; this, they had believed from the outset, would be their trump card... 5 [PHRASE] V inflects If you say that someone came up trumps , you mean that they did something successfully, often when they were not expected to. (BRIT) Dwayne has come up trumps with a goal worthy o...

trum|pet / tr'ʌmpɪt / (trumpets trumpeting trumpeted) 1 [N-VAR] oft the N A trumpet is a musical instrument of the brass family which plays quite high notes. 2 [VERB] V n as n, V about n, it be V-ed that If someone trumpets something that they are proud of or that they think is important, they speak about it publicly in a very forceful way. The government has been trumpeting tourism as a growth industry... Nobody should be trumpeting about chemical weapons... It was trumpeted that the nation's health was improving.

trum|pet|er / tr'ʌmpɪtə r / (trumpeters) [N-COUNT] A trumpeter is someone who plays a trumpet.

trun|cat|ed / trʌŋk'eɪtɪd, AM tr'ʌŋkeɪtɪd / [ADJ] usu ADJ n A truncated version of something is one that has been shortened. The review body has produced a truncated version of its annual report.

trun|cheon / tr'ʌntʃən / (truncheons) [N-COUNT] A truncheon is a short, thick stick that is carried as a weapon by a policeman. (BRIT; in AM, use billy )

trun|dle / tr'ʌnd ə l / (trundles trundling trundled) 1 [VERB] V prep/adv If a vehicle trundles somewhere, it moves there slowly, often with difficulty or an irregular movement. The train eventually trundled in at 7.54. 2 [VERB] V n adv/prep If you trundle something somewhere, especially a small, heavy object with wheels, you move or roll it along slowly. The old man lifted the barrow and trundled it away... 3 [VERB] V adv/prep If you say that someone is trundling somewhere, you mean that they are walking slowly, often in a tired way or with heavy steps. Girls trundle in carrying heavy book bags.

trunk / tr'ʌŋk / (trunks) 1 [N-COUNT] usu N of n, n N The trunk of a tree is the large main stem from which the branches grow. ...the gnarled trunk of a birch tree. 2 [N-COUNT] A trunk is a large, strong case or box used for storing things or for taking on a journey. 3 [N-COUNT] usu with poss An elephant's trunk is its very long nose that it uses to lift food and water to its mouth. 4 [N-COUNT] The trunk of a car is a covered space at the back or front in which you put luggage or other things. (AM; in BRIT, use boot ) 5 [N-PLURAL] Trunks are shorts that a man wears when he goes swimming. = swimming trunks 6 [N-COUNT] usu sing Your trunk is the central part of your body, from your neck to your waist. (FORMAL) tree trunk (tree trunks) [N-COUNT] A tree trunk is the wide central part of a tree, from which the branches grow. trunk road (trunk roads) [N-COUNT] A trunk road is a major road that has been specially built for travelling lo...

bath|ing trunks / b'eɪðɪŋ trʌŋks / [N-PLURAL] Bathing trunks are shorts that a man wears when he goes swimming. = swimming trunks swim|ming trunks [N-PLURAL] also a pair of N Swimming trunks are the shorts that a man wears when he goes swimming. (BRIT; in AM, use trunks )

truss / tr'ʌs / (trusses trussing trussed) 1 [VERB] V n To truss someone means to tie them up very tightly so that they cannot move. (WRITTEN) She trussed him quickly with stolen bandage, and gagged his mouth. = bind [PHRASAL VERB] usu passive, be V-ed P, also V n P Truss up means the same as truss . She was trussed up with yellow nylon rope. 2 [N-COUNT] A truss is a special belt with a pad that a man wears when he has a hernia in order to prevent it from getting worse. truss up see truss 1

♦♦ trust / tr'ʌst / (trusts trusting trusted) 1 [VERB] V n, V n If you trust someone, you believe that they are honest and sincere and will not deliberately do anything to harm you. `I trust you completely,' he said... He did argue in a general way that the president can't be trusted. ● trusted [ADJ] ADJ n After speaking to a group of her most trusted advisers, she turned her anger into action. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] oft poss N in n Your trust in someone is your belief that they are honest and sincere and will not deliberately do anything to harm you. He destroyed me and my trust in men... You've betrayed their trust... There's a feeling of warmth and trust here. 3 [VERB] V n to-inf If you trust someone to do something, you believe that they will do it. That's why I must trust you to keep this secret... 4 [VERB] V n with n, V n with n If you trust someone with something important or valuable, you allow them to look after it...

trus|tee / trʌst'iː / (trustees) [N-COUNT] A trustee is someone with legal control of money or property that is kept or invested for another person, company, or organization.

trust|ing / tr'ʌstɪŋ / [ADJ] A trusting person believes that people are honest and sincere and do not intend to harm him or her. She has an open, trusting nature...

trust|worthy / tr'ʌstwɜː r ði / [ADJ] A trustworthy person is reliable, responsible, and can be trusted completely. He is a trustworthy and level-headed leader. ● trustworthiness [N-UNCOUNT] He wrote a reference for him, describing his reliability and trustworthiness as `above questioning'.

trusty / tr'ʌsti / [ADJ] ADJ n Trusty things, animals, or people are reliable and have always worked well in the past. She still drives her trusty black Corvette. = faithful

♦♦ truth / tr'uːθ / (truths) 1 [N-UNCOUNT] The truth about something is all the facts about it, rather than things that are imagined or invented. I must tell you the truth about this business... The truth of the matter is that we had no other choice... In the town very few know the whole truth. 2 [N-UNCOUNT] oft N of/in n If you say that there is some truth in a statement or story, you mean that it is true, or at least partly true. There is no truth in this story... Is there any truth to the rumors?... 3 [N-COUNT] A truth is something that is believed to be true. It is an almost universal truth that the more we are promoted in a job, the less we actually exercise the skills we initially used to perform it. 4 see also home truth , moment of truth 5 [PHRASE] PHR with cl You say in truth in order to indicate that you are giving your honest opinion about something. In truth, we were both unhappy. 6 [PHRASE] PHR with cl You say to tel...

truth|ful / tr'uːθfʊl / [ADJ] If a person or their comments are truthful , they are honest and do not tell any lies. We've all learnt to be fairly truthful about our personal lives... She could not give him a truthful answer. ● truthfully [ADV] ADV with v I answered all their questions truthfully. ● truthfulness [N-UNCOUNT] I can say, with absolute truthfulness, that I did not injure her.

♦♦♦ try / tr'aɪ / (tries trying tried) 1 [VERB] V to-inf, V adv, V -ing, V If you try to do something, you want to do it, and you take action which you hope will help you to do it. He secretly tried to block her advancement in the Party... Does it annoy you if others do things less well than you would, or don't seem to try hard enough?... I tried calling him when I got here but he wasn't at home... No matter how bad you feel, keep trying. [N-COUNT] Try is also a noun. It wasn't that she'd really expected to get any money out of him; it had just seemed worth a try... 2 [VERB] V and inf To try and do something means to try to do it. (INFORMAL) I must try and see him. 3 [VERB] V for n, V for n If you try for something, you make an effort to get it or achieve it. My partner and I have been trying for a baby for two years... He said he was going to try for first place next year. 4 [VERB] V n, V -ing If you try something ...

try|ing / tr'aɪɪŋ / [ADJ] If you describe something or someone as trying , you mean that they are difficult to deal with and make you feel impatient or annoyed. Support from those closest to you is vital in these trying times... see also try

try|out / tr'aɪaʊt / (tryouts) also try-out [N-COUNT] If you give something a tryout , you try it or test it to see how useful it is. The recycling scheme gets its first try-out in rural Dorset. = trial

tryst / tr'ɪst / (trysts) [N-COUNT] A tryst is a meeting between lovers in a quiet secret place. (LITERARY) = assignation

tsar / z'ɑː r / (tsars) also czar 1 [N-COUNT; N-TITLE] In former times, the tsar was the king of Russia. 2 [N-COUNT] supp N A particular kind of tsar is a person who has been appointed by the government to deal with a particular problem that is affecting the country. ...the former New York police chief who was appointed as `drug tsar' by Bill Clinton...

tsa|ri|na / zɑːr'iːnə / (tsarinas) also czarina [N-COUNT; N-TITLE] In former times, a tsarina was the queen of Russia or the wife of the tsar.

tset|se fly / ts'etsi flaɪ / (tsetse flies) also tsetse [N-VAR] A tsetse fly or a tsetse is an African fly that feeds on blood and can cause serious diseases in the people and animals that it bites.