Middle English Dictionary Entry
trei n.(3)
Entry Info
| Forms | trei n.(3) Also treie, treis, trai, (error) tra. Contractions: treis, traise, tries (trei as). |
| Etymology | From AF treis, trei(es, trais, tris, vars. of OF trois. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The three at dice, the side of the die marked with three spots; also in fig. context [quot. c1400]; also, a dice throw that turns up the three-spot; (b) in combs.: ~ as (contracted), as used in the prov. expression seien treis, to say 'three-ace' or 'Jack Robinson', i.e., very quickly; ~ go bet, 'three go best', the name of a dice game; (c) in surnames.
Associated quotations
a
- (c1390) Chaucer CT.Pard.(Manly-Rickert)C.653 : Seuene is my chaunce and thyn is cynk and treye [vr. tray]..if thow falsly pleye, This daggere shal thurgh out thyn herte go.
- a1400 Dice(2) (Boston 100)p.34 : You as casten trais ȝre; you sal..so mikel wyrchip wyn, at sal be ioie for all yi kyn.
- a1400 Dice(2) (Boston 100)p.37 : Tra [read: Trai], deux, ace is yi cast.
- c1400(?a1387) PPl.C (Hnt HM 137)19.240 : Loo, treys encountre treys..in godhede and in manhede.
- a1456 Hit is no right (Add 16165)p.38 : I wol..my chaunce cheese Ageyns love, trey ageyns an as, Hasard a tout and launche an esy pas.
- c1475 Dice(2) (Brm)61 : Ȝowr cast wosse sysse and dobyll trey; Fortewne fall not to ȝour pay.
- c1475 Dice(2) (Brm)65 : Ȝe that have sysse, trey, and dews [632] cast, Off a certyn thyng ȝe be agast.
- c1475 Dice(2) (Brm)69 : He that sys, trey, and as [631] to hym takys, In hys werkes wysely he wakys.
b
- (a1393) Gower CA (Frf 3)1.2963 : Al sodeinliche, as who seith treis, Wher that he stod in his Paleis, He tok him fro the mennes sihte.
- c1425(c1400) Ld.Troy (LdMisc 595)8917 : A man schuld not so sone say 'trayse', As he fel ded & held his payse, That neuere so moche that he ones quycched Ne his lymes ones clecched.
- a1450 Parton.(1) (UC C.188)5609 : To Shippe he gothe, and taketh the way Ouer the See styreght to Bloys; Thether he come as who sayth tryes [vr. treys].
- a1475(?a1430) Lydg.Pilgr.(Vit C.13)11623 : Pleye at the ches, pley at the tablys, At treygobet & tregetrye.
c
- (1248) Close R.Hen.III32 : Radulfum Trey.
- (1276) Let.Bk.Lond.B (Gldh LetBk B)260 : Alexander le Treye.
- (1305) *in Pilkington Surn. : Robert Treyfot.