TRENCHERS Meaning and
Definition
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Trenchers are flat pieces of bread or boards used as plates or serving dishes in historical contexts. The term "trencher" derives from the Old French word "trenchier," which means to cut or carve. In medieval times, before the advent of porcelain or ceramic plates, trenchers served as a practical solution for serving and containing food during meals.
Typically made of stale or toasted bread, trenchers acted as edible plates where the food was placed. These bread trenchers were commonly used in Europe from the Middle Ages until the Renaissance. They were especially popular in feasts or banquets, where large amounts of food were served. After the meal, any remaining food on the trencher would often be given to the poor or fed to animals.
As time went on, trenchers evolved beyond bread to include wooden or metal plates or platters. The wooden trenchers were often made from hardwoods like oak or beech and had a circular or rectangular shape. They were used in various social contexts, from meals in grand castles to more humble taverns and inns.
Today, trenchers primarily hold historical significance, as they are rarely used in modern dining. However, they serve as a reminder of traditional dining practices and the resourcefulness of earlier times. Trenchers provide a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and culinary history of the past and continue to be of interest for historical reenactments, museums, and academic study.
Common Misspellings for TRENCHERS
Etymology of TRENCHERS
The word "trenchers" has an interesting etymology. It originated from the Old French word "trenchier", which meant "to cut". The Old French word derived from the Latin word "truncare", which also means "to cut".
In the medieval period, before the widespread use of plates, people used thick slices of stale bread known as "trenchers" as plates. They would place their food on top of these bread slices, and after they finished eating, they would often give the bread to the poor or to animals.
Over time, the term "trencher" came to specifically refer to the plate made of bread, and it eventually evolved into the modern usage of the word as a plate or a wooden platter. Although the original use of trenchers made of bread has declined, the word "trenchers" continues to be used in some contexts to refer to serving dishes or large plates.
Similar spelling words for TRENCHERS
- transcriber,
- transferer,
- transferase,
- transcend,
- trench fever,
- trench coat,
- trenchantly,
- tranche,
- transferrer,
- transfer,
- transdermic,
- trance,
- transdermal,
- trench foot,
- transversus,
- truancy,
- terence,
- trencherman,
- Transue,
- trench knife,
- Trinkle,
- truncheon,
- trencher,
- trinucleate,
- transferrin,
- trinuclear,
- transverse,
- trinectes,
- transferor,
- trenchancy,
- transferral,
- transferee,
- trounce,
- transversal,
- trenchant,
- transversely,
- trenchfoot,
- trench mouth,
- transcribe,
- trench.
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