I. ˈthrȯl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English thral, from Old English thrǣl, from Old Norse thræll; probably akin to Old High German drigil servant, Old English thrāg time, thrǣgan to run, Gothic thragjan to run, Old Irish traig foot
1.
a. : a member of the lowest social class of ancient northern and especially Scandinavian Europe existing either as an accident of birth or as a result of capture in a state of slavery to a master or lord : a servant slave : bondman ; sometimes : serf
b. archaic : a person (as a captive held for ransom) deprived of liberty
c. : a person in moral or mental servitude : a person intangibly bound (as by a habit)
2. : the condition of a thrall:
a. : a state of complete absorption or servitude : slavery
the summer mountains could hold me in thrall with a subtle attraction of their own — Elyne Mitchell
in the thrall of a habit
b. archaic : oppression , suffering
II. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English thrallen, from thral, n.
archaic : enthrall , enslave
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English thral, from thral, n.
archaic : enslaved, subjugated, subject
IV. noun
Etymology: origin unknown
dialect England : a stand for barrels, milk pans, or cans