trencher

trencher
/tren"cheuhr/, n.
1. a person or thing that digs trenches.
2. ditchdigger (def. 3).
3. a rectangular or circular flat piece of wood on which meat, or other food, is served or carved.
4. such a piece of wood and the food on it.
5. Archaic. food; the pleasures of good eating.
[1275-1325; ME trenchour something to cut with or on < AF; MF trencheoir. See TRENCH, -ORY2]

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plate
 originally a thick slice of bread, used as a primitive form of plate for eating and for slicing meat (hence its derivation from “trancher”—to cut, or carve), but by the 14th century a square or circular wooden plate of rough workmanship. There was usually a small cavity for salt in the rim of the wooden plate, and sometimes the main section was so formed that it could be turned over and the other side used for a second course.

      By the beginning of the 17th century trenchers were being replaced, first by pewter ware, then by earthenware and porcelain, though the word was still used occasionally to refer to cheap plates not made of wood. It still survives in phrases such as “trencherman,” describing a hearty eater.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Trencher — Trench er, n. [OE. trencheoir, F. tranchoir, fr. trancher to cut, carve. See {Trench}, v. t.] 1. One who trenches; esp., one who cuts or digs ditches. [1913 Webster] 2. A large wooden plate or platter, as for table use. [1913 Webster] 3. The… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Trencher — may refer to: * Trencher (comics), a comic book series * Trencher (machine), a digging machine * Trencher (tableware), a place setting item * Trencher cap, a square academic cap * Trencher (band), a London based Casio core band …   Wikipedia

  • trencher — Trencher, Semble qu il vient de Truncare, Abscindere, Incidere, Secare, Consecare, Prosecare, Truncare. Trencher une montagne, Perfodere montem, Caedere montem. Trencher le col à quelqu un, Collum alicui desecare, Ferire aliquem securi, Aliquem… …   Thresor de la langue françoyse

  • trencher — c.1300, wooden platter on which to cut meat, from Anglo Fr. trenchour, from O.N.Fr. trencheor a trencher, lit. a cutting place, from O.Fr. trenchier to cut (see TRENCH (Cf. trench)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • trencher — trencher1 [tren′chər] n. [ME < OFr trencheor < trenchier: see TRENCH] Archaic 1. a wooden board or platter on which to carve or serve meat 2. a) food served on a trencher b) a supply of food trencher2 [tren′chər] …   English World dictionary

  • trencher — I. noun Etymology: Middle English trenchour knife, serving platter, from Anglo French, from trencher to cut Date: 14th century a wooden platter for serving food II. adjective Date: 14th century 1. of or relating to a trencher or to meals 2.… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Trencher — Recorded as Trench, Trinch, Trinche, Trenche, and the occupational Trencher, this is an English surname but one of early French origins. Well recorded in Ireland, it was probably introduced into England at or just after the famous Norman Conquest …   Surnames reference

  • Trencher — Piece of wood on which meat was carved. The word had orig. been used of the knife which carved. It was also a thick piece of bread which served as a plate and was given to the poor or the dogs when the meal was finished. A mid 15c rhyme describes …   Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases

  • trencher — /ˈtrɛntʃə / (say trenchuh) noun 1. someone who trenches; someone who makes trenches. 2. → mortarboard (def. 2). 3. Obsolete a. a rectangular or circular flat piece of wood on which meat, or other food, was formerly served or carved. b. such a… …  

  • Trencher —    These large flat pieces of bread were used like plates in castles during the Middle Ages. One was placed in front of two people, one of them would cut it in half and give one half to the person next to him. The Trencher would catch meat juices …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • trencher — n. 1 hist. a wooden or earthenware platter for serving food. 2 (in full trencher cap) a stiff square academic cap; a mortarboard. Etymology: ME f. AF trenchour, OF trencheoir f. trenchier: see TRENCH …   Useful english dictionary

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