I. ˈtrü adjective
( tru·er ; tru·est )
Etymology: Middle English trewe, from Old English trēowe faithful; akin to Old High German gi triuwi faithful, Old Irish derb sure, and probably to Sanskrit dāruṇa hard, dāru wood — more at tree
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : steadfast , loyal
b. : honest , just
c. archaic : truthful
2.
a.
(1) : being in accordance with the actual state of affairs
true description
(2) : conformable to an essential reality
(3) : fully realized or fulfilled
dreams come true
b. : ideal , essential
c. : being that which is the case rather than what is manifest or assumed
the true dimension of the problem
d. : consistent
true to character
3.
a. : properly so called
true love
the true faith
the true stomach of ruminant mammals
b.
(1) : possessing the basic characters of and belonging to the same natural group as
a whale is a true but not a typical mammal
(2) : typical
the true cats
4. : legitimate , rightful
our true and lawful king
5.
a. : that is fitted or formed or that functions accurately
b. : conformable to a standard or pattern : accurate
6. : determined with reference to the earth's axis rather than the magnetic poles
true north
7. : logically necessary
8. : narrow , strict
in the truest sense
9. : corrected for error
• true·ness noun
II. adverb
Date: 14th century
1. : in accordance with fact or reality
2.
a. : without deviation
the bullet flew straight and true
b. : without variation from type
breed true
III. noun
Date: circa 1536
1. : truth , reality — usually used with the
2. : the quality or state of being accurate (as in alignment or adjustment) — used in the phrases in true and out of true
IV. transitive verb
( trued ; true·ing also tru·ing )
Date: 1841
: to make level, square, balanced, or concentric : bring or restore to a desired mechanical accuracy or form
true up a board
true up an engine cylinder