trust English · revision 2575

+ {{infobox|confidence=probable|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1200 (Ancrene Riwle)|origins=non traust}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /trʌst/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ The noun is [[inh|enm|truste]], probably [[bor|non|traust|t=help, confidence, protection]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(AHD 2000) from [[gem-pro|*traustą]],^(Etymonline) related to [[non|traustr|t=strong]].^(COED 2004) The verb is from Old Norse [[m|non|treysta|t=to trust, rely on, make strong]].^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004) Its cognates include [[nl|troost|t=comfort]], [[de|Trost|t=comfort, consolation]] and Gothic trausti “agreement”.^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(MWU 2024) Etymonline relates it to Old English [[m|ang|trēowe|t=faithful]], the source of [[true]], from [[ine-pro|*deru-|t=to be firm, solid, steadfast]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD 2000) Hoad calls its early history obscure.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Confidence, reliance: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'',^(Barnhart 1988) or about 1200,^(Etymonline) when it also meant religious faith.^(Etymonline) The verb “to have faith or confidence” is also from about 1200.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Confident expectation, hope” is from about 1200,^(OED 1989) and “reliability, fidelity” from about 1300.^(Etymonline) The verb “to believe, give credit to” is by the mid-14th century, and “to rely or depend on” from the late 14th.^(Etymonline) The legal sense, confidence placed in one who holds property for its owner, is from the early 15th century,^(Etymonline) and property held in this way from the mid-15th.^(Etymonline) Credit given to a buyer is ''trust'' from 1573.^(OED 1989) A group of businesses under one control is a legal sense attested by 1877; it became a major American political issue, hence ''trust-buster'' by 1903.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1200 – confidence; to have confidence (''Ancrene Riwle'').^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * c. 1300 – trustworthiness.^(Etymonline)

+ * early 15th century – in law.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1573 – commercial credit.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1877 – a business trust.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1903 – ''trust-buster''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # Firm reliance on the integrity, ability or character of a person or thing.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # Custody, care; something committed to another's care.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # The obligation of one in whom confidence is placed.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(law)'' A legal arrangement by which property is held by one party for the benefit of another; the property so held.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # A combination of firms that reduces competition.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # Commercial credit.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To have or place confidence in; to depend on.^(AHD)^(SOED 2002)

+ # To expect with assurance; to hope.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # To place in another's care; to [[entrust]].^(AHD)

+ # To extend credit to.^(AHD)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[truster]]

+ * [[trustability]]

+ * [[trustable]]

+ * [[trustingly]]

+ * [[trustingness]]

+ * [[antitrust]]

+ * [[entrust]]

+ * [[intrust]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[true]]

+ * [[truth]]

+ * [[trow]]

+ * [[tryst]]

+ * [[trusty]]

+ * [[trustee]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ The American Heritage Dictionary distinguishes ''trust'', which implies deep feeling often based on inconclusive evidence, from ''faith'', ''confidence'', ''reliance'' and ''dependence''.^(AHD)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}