Middle English Dictionary Entry
trant(e n.
Entry Info
| Forms | trant(e n. Also traunt. |
| Etymology | Origin uncertain; ?cp. MDu. trant step, pace. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A trick, cunning device, stratagem; also, trickery, caginess, cunning [quot. c1400]; ben but trantes, ?to be full of trickery; ?be false.
Associated quotations
- a1400 Preste ne monke (Cleo B.2)61 : Trantes þai can, & many iape; For somme can with a pound of sape Gete him a kyrtelle & a cape, & somwhat els þerto.
- c1400(?c1390) Gawain (Nero A.10)1700 : Hunteres vnhardeled bi a holt syde, Rocheres roungen bi rys for rurde of her hornes; Summe fel in þe fute þer þe fox bade, Traylez ofte a trayteres bi traunt of her wyles.
- a1425(?c1375) NHom.(3) Leg.(Hrl 4196)69/406 : Þan Peter proued by diuers resun Þat Simon was bot trantes & tresoun.
- (1440) Capgr.St.Norb.(Hnt HM 55)1100 : Owre fadir Norbert, whech had ful clere knowyng Of alle þe trantes whech þe deuele vseth, Cryed al lowde þat euery man myth here.
- a1450 Yk.Pl.(Add 35290)315/252 : Þat was a trante of a traytour, So sone þou schulde goo to begile hym.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)173/235 : Hard I neuer sich a trant that a knafe so sleght Schuld com lyke a sant and refe me my right.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)298/162 : I know his trantes fro top to tayll, he lyffys by gawdys and glory.
- c1540(?a1400) Destr.Troy (Htrn 388)12205 : This Vlixes..with falshed & flatery, feynyng of wordes..callis hym the cavse of cacchyng þis toune, But with treason & trauntis of his vntreu fare He fortherit neuer a fyge with his fight ȝet.