trencher

American  

[tren-cher] / ˈtrɛn tʃər /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches.

2. ditchdigger.

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.

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trencher ¹ British  

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. (esp formerly) a wooden board on which food was served or cut

2. Also called: trencher cap.  another name for mortarboard

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trencher ² British  

/ ˈtrɛntʃə /

noun

1. a person or thing that digs trenches

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Etymology

Origin of trencher

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

Example Sentences

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

From Washington Post

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

From Washington Times

For example, Bouwkamp says, Vermeer was able to sell eight trenchers, or giant chain saws for underground construction, to Saudi Arabia, where U.S. banks cannot lend, because of loans from the Ex-Im Bank.

From US News

In this opener, we're treated to a look at traditional British loaves, from the humble white bloomer to the relatively lavish lamb-leg trencher.

From The Guardian

In recent years, the quickening arrival of drills and trenchers from China and Canada has provoked a militant resistance that unites the local indigenous and campesino populations.

From Salon

Related Words

• disc
• dish
• disk
• tray