† treacher Obs.
(ˈtrɛtʃə(r))
Forms: 3 trichor, 3–5 -our, 4 trychor, (tryschor), 5 trychour, -eour, -eur, 6 trycher; 4 trechur, trecchour, 4–6 (8) trechour, 5 -ure; 6 trechor, (trachour, treitcheoure), 6–7 trecher, 6–8 treacher, -our, 8 -or.
[a. OF. trecheor, -eur, tricheor, -eur (12th c. in Godef.), F. tricheur, agent-n. (see -er2, -or) fr. OF. trechier, tricher to cheat, trick: see treche, trich v. (Cf. Prov. trichaire, trichador, It. trecchiero.]
A deceiver, a cheat; one who deceives by trickery; sometimes, a traitor.
| c 1290 S. Eng. Leg. I. 332/326 Þov art symon Magus, godes trichor. Ibid. 348/104 Askebert he was i-cleoped, a strong trichour, alas! ? a 1366 Chaucer Rom. Rose 197 That is she that makith trechoures. 1481 Caxton Godeffroy lxxx. 127 He was a trychour. 1513 Douglas æneis viii. Prol. 97 Sum trachour [v.r. treitcheoure] crynis the cunȝe, and kepis corn stakis. 1591 Spenser M. Hubberd 1255 Those same treachours vile. 1613 Answ. Uncasing of Machivil's Instr. G j b, If to Countrie thou hast a trechers heart. 1713 Croxall Orig. Canto Spenser xxxv. (1714) 24 But smiling on the Treachour stood aloof. 1767 Mickle Concub. i. xxxvii, The hungrie Trout the glitteraund Treachor eyes. |
b. attrib. or as adj. Cheating, treacherous.
| c 1400 Rom. Rose 6308 Forsothe I am a fals traitour God iugged me for a theef trichour. 1422 tr. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv. 235 Whoso hath the neke ful shorte he is voucheous, deceyuant, and trechure. 1508 Dunbar Flyting 55 The trechour tung hes tane ane heland strynd. |