trencher

[ tren-cher ]

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches.
2. ditchdigger ( def 3 ).
3. a rectangular or circular flat piece of wood on which meat, or other food, is served or carved.
4. such a piece of wood and the food on it.
5. Archaic. food; the pleasures of good eating.

trencher

¹

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a wooden board on which food was served or cut
2. Also calledtrencher cap another name for mortarboard

trencher

²

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches

Word History and Origins

Origin of trencher¹

1275–1325; Middle English trenchour something to cut with or on < Anglo-French; Middle French trencheoir. See trench, -ory ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of trencher¹

C14 trenchour knife, plate for carving on, from Old French trencheoir , from trenchier to cut; see trench

Example Sentences

Admittedly, these plates would have been like trenchers, sturdy supports made of baked dough.

From Salon

Instead of plates, there were bread trenchers, which would soak up the juices and be then thrown to the dogs.

From Washington Post

Yesterday Mother Ermentrude herself cleaned and dried all the trenchers and spoons.

From Literature

The facility will include a heavy equipment arena to train workers using scaffolds, trenchers, cranes, scissor lifts and more.

From Washington Times

“Excellent. Next, I’ll be eating with a trencher and throwing bones to the dogs over my shoulder.”

From Literature

Related Words

• disc
• dish
• disk
• tray