Trois Chapitres (Les), or The Three Chapters, three theological works on the “Incarnation of Christ and His dual nature.” The authors of these “chapters” are Theodore of Mopsuestia, Theodoret of Cyrrhus, and Ibas of Edessa. The work was condemned in 553 as heretical.
Trois Echelles, executioner.--Sir W. Scott, Quentin Durward and Anne of Geierstein (time Edward IV.).
Trojan, a good boon companion, a plucky fellow or man of spirit. Gadshill says, “There are other Trojans [men of spirit] that ... for sport sake are content to do the profession [of Thieving] some grace.” So in Love’s Labor’s Lost “Unless you play the honest Trojan, the poor wench is cast away” (unless you are a man of sufficient spirit to act honestly, the girl is ruined).
“He is a regular Trojan,” means he is un brave homme, a capital fellow.
Trompart, a lazy but wily-witted knave, grown old in cunning. He accompanied Braggadoccio as his squire (bk. ii. 3), but took to his heels when Talus shaved the master, “reft his shield,” blotted out his arms, and broke his sword in twain. Being overtaken, Talus gives him a sound drubbing (bk. v. 3).--Spenser, Faëry Queen (1590-6).
Trondjem’s Cattle (Remember the bishop of), i.e., look sharp after your property; take heed, or you will suffer for it. The story is, that a certain bishop of Trondjem [Tron´.yem] lost his cattle by the herdsmen taking his eyes off them to look at an elk. Now this elk was a spirit, and when the herdsman looked at the cattle again they were no bigger than mice; again he turned towards the elk, in order to understand the mystery, and while he did so, the cattle all vanished through a crevice into the earth.--Miss Martineau, Feats on the Fiord (1839).
Tropho´nios, the architect of the temple of Apollo, at Delphi. After death he was worshipped, and had a famous cave near Lebadia, called “The Oracle of Trophonios.”
The month of this cave was three yards high and two wide. Those who consulted the oracle had to fast several days, and then to descend a steep ladder till they reached a narrow gullet. They were then seized by the feet, and dragged violently to the bottom of the cave, where they were assailed by the most unearthly noises, howlings, shrieks, bellowings, with lurid lights and sudden glares, in the midst of which uproar and phantasmagoria the oracle was pronounced. The votaries were then seized unexpectedly by the feet, and thrust out of the cave without ceremony. If any resisted, or attempted to enter in any other way, he was instantly murdered.--Plutarch, Lives.
Trotley (Sir John), an old-fashioned country gentleman, who actually prefers the obsolete English notions of domestic life, fidelity to wives and husbands, modesty in maids, and constancy in lovers, to the foreign free and easy manners which allow married people unlimited freedom, and consider licentiousness bon ton.--Garrick, Bon Ton (1776). (See PRIORY.)
Trotter (Job), servant to Alfred Jingle. A sly, canting rascal, who has at least the virtue of fidelity to his master. Mr. Pickwick’s generosity touches his heart, and he shows a sincere gratitude to his benefactor.--C. Dickens, The Pickwick Papers (1836).