The Thirty-Nine Steps (56 page)

trivet
NOUN
a trivet is a three-legged stand for resting a pot or kettle
a pocket-knife in his right; and a pewter pot on the trivet
(
Oliver Twist
by Charles Dickens)

trot line
NOUN
a trot line is a fishing line to which a row of smaller fishing lines are attached
when he got along I was hard at it taking up a trot line
(
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain)

troth
NOUN
oath or pledge
I wonder, by my troth
(
The Good-Morrow
by John Donne)

truckle
NOUN
a truckle bedstead is a bed that is on wheels and can be slid under another bed to
save space
It rose under my hand, and the door yielded. Looking in, I saw a lighted candle on
a table, a bench, and a mattress on a truckle bedstead
. (
Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens)

trump
NOUN
a trump is a good, reliable person wo can be trusted
This lad Hawkins is a trump, I perceive (Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson)

tucker
NOUN
a tucker is a frilly lace collar which is worn around the neck
Whereat Scrooge’s niece’s sister∼the plump one with the lace tucker: not the one with
the roses∼blushed
. (A
Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens)

tureen
NOUN
a large bowl with a lid from which soup or vegetables are served
Waiting in a hot tureen!
(
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
by Lewis Carroll)

turnkey
NOUN
a prison officer; jailer
As we came out of the prison through the lodge, I found that the great importance
of my guardian was appreciated by the turnkeys, no less than by those whom they held
in charge
. (
Great Expectations
by Charles Dickens)

turnpike
NOUN
the upkeep of many roads of the time was paid for by tolls (fees) collected at posts
along the road. There was a gate to prevent people travelling further along the road
until the toll had been paid.
Traddles, whom I have taken up by appointment at the turnpike, presents a dazzling
combination of cream colour and light blue; and both he and Mr. Dick have a general
effect about them of being all gloves
. (
David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens)

twas
PHRASE
it was
twas but a dream of thee
(
The Good-Morrow
by John Donne)

tyrannized
VERB
tyrannized means bullied or forced to do things against their will
for people would soon cease coming there to be tyrannized over and put down
(
Treasure Island
by Robert Louis Stevenson)

’un
NOUN
’un is a slang term for one – usually used to refer to a person
She’s been thinking the old ’un
(
David Copperfield
by Charles Dickens)