truce English · revision 761
10 Oct 2026, 21:36 by bogdan “New entry from the dictionary sources (AHD, Barnhart, Etymonline, MW, OED, RHWU, Wiktionary, Hoad, MED, Word Origins)” current version
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+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /tɹuːs/ ''(UK)''; /tɹus/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|enm|trewes]], ''triws'', the plural of ''trewe'' “faith, pledge, covenant, treaty”,^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) [[inh|ang|trēow|t=faith, fidelity; pledge, treaty]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) the noun related to [[true]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(MW Collegiate)^(Hoad 1986) It goes back to Proto-Germanic ''*trewwō'',^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline) cognate with Dutch ''trouw'', German ''Treue'' and Gothic ''triggwa'' “covenant”.^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) The plural gradually became a singular as it was applied to the pledge of good faith given after a dispute.^(Barnhart 1995) The Germanic word was borrowed into Late Latin as ''tregua'', whence French ''trêve''.^(Etymonline)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ A stopping of fighting by agreement, an armistice (probably before 1200 in Barnhart; early 13th century in Etymonline; c. 1330 in the OED).^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ The ''truce of God'' was a suspension of hostilities and private feuds ordered by the Church on certain days and seasons.^(OED 1989) By 1377 the word could also mean a general absence of hostilities, peace.^(OED 1989) The figurative sense, a respite from any contest or trouble, dates from the 1550s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and from 1870 a pause during a game.^(OED 1989) The verb, to make a truce, is recorded from 1569.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * before 1200 – ''triws'', a cessation of fighting.^(Barnhart 1995)
+ * 1377 – absence of hostilities, peace.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1560 – figurative uses.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1569 – verb, to make a truce.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1870 – a pause in a game.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Noun===
+ # A temporary suspension of fighting by agreement of the opposing sides; an [[armistice]] or [[cease-fire]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # An agreement or treaty establishing this.^(RHWU)^(Wiktionary)
+ # A respite from a disagreeable or painful state of affairs.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)
+
+ ===Verb===
+ # To make a truce, or to end with a truce.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Word family==
+ * [[truceless]]
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[true]]
+ * [[trust]]
+ * [[troth]]
+ * [[armistice]]
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}