English Explanatory Dictionary

trench

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A long, narrow ditch or hole dug in the ground.
  2. A narrow excavation as used in warfare, as a cover for besieging or emplaced forces.
  3. A pit, usually rectangular with smooth walls and floor, excavated during an archaeological investigation.
  4. A trench coat.
verb
  1. To invade, especially with regard to the rights or the exclusive authority of another; to encroach.
  2. To excavate an elongated pit for protection of soldiers and or equipment, usually perpendicular to the line of sight toward the enemy.
  3. To excavate an elongated and often narrow pit.
  4. To have direction; to aim or tend.
  5. To cut; to form or shape by cutting; to make by incision, hewing, etc.
  6. To cut furrows or ditches in.
  7. To dig or cultivate very deeply, usually by digging parallel contiguous trenches in succession, filling each from the next.
name
  1. A suburb of Telford, Telford and Wrekin borough, Shropshire, England (OS grid ref SJ6912).
  2. A habitational surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈtɹɛnt͡ʃ/ [ˈtɹ̝̊ʷɛnt͡ʃ] [ˈt̠ɹ̠̊˔ʷɛnt͡ʃ] LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-trench.wav /ˈtɹɪnt͡ʃ/ [ˈtɹ̝̊ʷɪ̟nt͡ʃ] [ˈt̠ɹ̠̊˔ʷɪ̟nt͡ʃ]

Word forms

trench trenches trenching trenched

Etymology

Borrowed into Middle English from Old French trenche. Doublet of tranche and traunch. Possible doublet of English: truncate

Related words

tranche trenchant

Derived words

entrench entrenching tool flame trench in the trenches micro trenching mini-trench palisade trench trench art trench binoculars trench boot trench broom trench club trench coat trench cut trench derby trench dress trench effect trencher trench fever trench foot trench knife trench mentality trench mortar trench mouth trench plate trench-plough trench-plow trench stick trench sweeper trench warfare Trench Town
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