Middle English Dictionary Entry

treu(e n.(1)
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Entry Info

Forms treu(e n.(1) Also trewe, trieue, trou, trowe, tru(e, truwe, (early infl.) truwen, truwan & treus, treux(e, trewes, trewis, trieux, trues, truse, ? truwes, trux(e; pl. ? treus, ? treux, trewes, ? trewis, ? trieux, trues(es, truis(e, ? truse, truus, truwes, truwis; sg. or pl. treues, treuce, treuse, treuus, treuwes, trewisse, trewus, trieues, trieuves, trius, triwes, trowes, truese, truis, truce, trusse, truze, (WM) treowes & (error) crewese.
Etymology OE trēow, trȳw, trūw; also cp. OE trūwa, trūa, trȳwa, trēowa & OF (from Gmc.) trieue, trieve, triue, tri(u)we, true, AF treu(e, trewe & (for sense 8.) ME trouen v. Sg. forms in -s(e, -x(e, perh. -ce, -ze are from pl. forms of OE trēow (as well as of OF trieue) with sg. meaning.

Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)

1.
(a) A pledge to cease hostilities for a lengthy or an indefinite period of time, usu. as a preliminary to further negotiation or the formal establishment of a peace; also, the peace established through such a truce; (b) a pledge to suspend hostilities for a limited period of time, often for a specific humanitarian purpose; also, the lull in combat resulting from such a truce; (c) a promise of temporary relief from attack, usu. to allow the weaker combatant to assess the viability of further resistance; also, the promised respite from attack; (d) a period during which a truce is in effect; (e) in cpds. and combs.: ~ brekere, one who violates a truce; ~ brekinge, the action of violating a truce; ~ takinge, the act of negotiating a truce; ~ time, time (dai) of ~, a period (day) during which a truce is in effect.
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2.
(a) A renewable agreement on terms governing the unmolested passage of commercial vessels and other traffic between nonallied states, a treaty; ?also, a limited treaty permitting foreign troops as mercenaries [quot. a1460]; ~ general, a general agreement establishing friendly relations between states; ~ particuler, a treaty affecting only specific aspects of relations between states; ~ takinge, treaty negotiations; wardein ~, a monitored treaty, prob. overseen by the wardens of the Marches; (b) a guarantee of unmolested passage for an enemy, safe-conduct.
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3.
(a) An agreement to suspend hostilities between individual disputants pending adjudication of the dispute, abstention from private vengeance; also, a cessation of combat against an individual, relief from personal attack; also in fig. context; (b) as interjection: peace!; crien ~, to call an end to an individual's attack;—used in fig. context.
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4.
Deferral, pause, delay.
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5.
Good faith; also, a pledge of good faith.
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6.
Peace, amity, accord;—used esp. of relations between God and man; a covenant; an accommodation, a settlement; also, a reconciliation; taken (maken) ~.
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7.
An end to affliction, respite; yeven no (litel) ~, of a disease: to give no (little) respite, be unrelenting.
Show 3 Quotations
8.
Belief, trust, faith, confidence; also, overconfidence.
Show 6 Quotations

Supplemental Materials (draft)

  • a1200(?OE) Cmb.Hom.(Cmb Ii.1.33)103/90 : Winne he wiþ me on þisum ȝewinne nu, and he wið me feohte on his feondlicum truwan, and he ȝesyhð soðlice þat ic swyþor mæg.
    • Note: Needed for date in sense 8.. (Place after 1st quot.)--per REL

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