adj., adv., & v.
--adj.
1. in accordance with fact or reality (a true story).
2 genuine; rightly or strictly so called; not spurious or counterfeit (a true friend; the true heir to the throne).
3 (often foll. by to) loyal or faithful (true to one's word).
4 (foll. by to) accurately conforming (to a standard or expectation etc.) (true to form).
5 correctly positioned or balanced; upright, level.
6 exact, accurate (a true aim; a true copy).
7 (absol.) (also it is true) certainly, admittedly (true, it would cost more).
8 (of a note) exactly in tune.
9 archaic honest, upright (twelve good men and true).
--adv.
1. truly (tell me true).
2 accurately (aim true).
3 without variation (breed true).
--v.tr. (trues, trued, truing or trueing) bring (a tool, wheel, frame, etc.) into the exact position or form required.
Phrases and idioms:
come true actually happen or be the case. out of true (or the true) not in the correct or exact position. true bill US & hist. a bill of indictment endorsed by a grand jury as being sustained by evidence. true-blue adj. extremely loyal or orthodox.
--n. such a person, esp. a Conservative. true-born genuine (a true-born Englishman). true-bred of a genuine or good breed. true-hearted faithful, loyal. true horizon see HORIZON 1c. true-love a sweetheart. true-love (or -lover's) knot a kind of knot with interlacing bows on each side, symbolizing true love. true north etc. north etc. according to the earth's axis, not magnetic north. true rib a rib joined directly to the breastbone. true to form (or type) being or behaving etc. as expected. true to life accurately representing life.
Derivatives:
trueish adj. trueness n.
Etymology: OE treowe, trywe, f. the Gmc noun repr. by TRUCE