truantry
(ˈtruːəntrɪ)
Forms: 5 trewaundrie, trwandrye, truantrye, 6 trewantrie, 7– truantry.
[a. F. truanderie (13th c. in Godef. Compl.), f. truand truant: see -ry.]
† 1. Fraudulent begging; knavery, roguery. Obs.
| 1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 17828 Thys dyssh that I holde in myn hond, (In ffrenche callyd ‘Coquynerye’ And in ynglyssh ‘Trwandrye’). c 1430 Pilgr. Lyf Manhode iii. xxii. (1869) 147 This hand heere is cleped coquinerie; Trewaundrie bi name j cleyme it. |
2. Idleness, truancy; the practice, or an act, of playing truant.
| 1481 Caxton Reynard iv. (Arb.) 8 Yf the scolers were not beten..and reprised of their truantrye, they shold neuer lerne. 1581 Mulcaster Positions xl. (1887) 225 In the maisters house..children may..be lesse subiect to loytering and trewantrie. 1685 Cotton tr. Montaigne I. 301 An understanding Tutor, who..knew discreetly to connive at this and other truantries. 1811 L. M. Hawkins C'tess & Gertr. I. 166 Her frequent..truantries from the place where she ought to have been. 1887 Stevenson Mem. & Portraits ii. 27 Infinite yawnings during lecture and unquenchable gusto in the delights of truantry. |