I. ˈtril verb
Etymology: Middle English; akin to Middle Dutch trillen to vibrate, Swedish trilla to roll
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1. : to flow in a small stream or in drops : trickle
2. : twirl , revolve
transitive verb
: to cause to flow in a small stream
II. noun
Etymology: Italian trillo probably of imitative origin
Date: 1649
1.
a. : the alternation of two musical tones a diatonic second apart — called also shake
b. : vibrato
c. : a rapid reiteration of the same tone especially on a percussion instrument
2. : a sound resembling a musical trill : warble
3.
a. : the rapid vibration of one speech organ against another (as of the tip of the tongue against the teethridge)
b. : a speech sound made by a trill
III. verb
Date: circa 1667
intransitive verb
: to play or sing with a trill : quaver
transitive verb
: to utter as or with or as if with a trill
trill the r
• trill·er noun