trenchmore, n. Hist.
(ˈtrɛn(t)ʃmɔə(r))
Also 6 -mour, -moore, 7 -moor.
[Origin uncertain. Perhaps a place- or family-name.]
An old English country dance, of a lively or boisterous nature; also, the air to which it was danced.
| 1551–2 in Feuillerat Revels Edw. VI (1914) 79 Thre garmentes of sarsenett..for them that daunsed trenchemore. 1579 Gosson Sch. Abuse (Arb.) 33 Paris led the shaking of sheetes with Domitia, and Mnester [led] the Trenchmour, with Messalina. 1597 Deloney Gentle Craft (1912) 154 Like one dancing the trench more he stampt up and downe the yard, holding his hips in his hands. 1611 L. Barrey Ram Alley iii. i, Ile make him daunce a trenchmoor to my sword. a 1654 Selden Table T., King of Engl. (1689) 28 In King Charles's time, there has been nothing but Trench-more [mispr. Fr―] and the Cushion Dance, omnium gatherum, tolly, polly, hoite come toite. 1776 Sir J. Hawkins Hist. Mus. IV. iv. i. 392 In the..Rehearsal, the Earth, Sun, and Moon are made to dance the Hey to the tune of Trenchmore. |
† b. quasi-adv. In a frisky, lively, or boisterous manner. Obs.
| 1577 Stanyhurst Descr. Irel. in Holinshed II. 16/1 They beeset a diuine as well, as for..an ape to strike trenchmoore in a paire of buskins and a doublet. 1605 Lond. Prodigal i. ii, I' faith and thy tongue trips trenchmore. 1636 W. Sampson Vow-Breaker ii. i. D ij b, We had a Wedding to day, and the young fry tickle trench-more. |
Hence ˈtrenchmore v. intr. nonce-wd., to dance the trenchmore.
| 1598 Marston Pygmal. ii. 145 He doth curtsie, and..Trenchmore with Apes, play musick to an Owle. |