Part 509

TROUSSEAU, Fr. A long piece of wood in the shape of a cane, that is, having one end smaller than the other, which is used in foundries to make cannon-moulds.

TROUSSEPAS, Fr. A sort of iron spade which is used in cutting turf.

TRUCE, (Treve, Fr.) A suspension of arms, or a cessation of hostilities, between two armies, in order to settle articles of peace, bury the dead, &c.

TRUCK. Wooden wheels for the carriage of cannon, &c.

TRUCKS of a ship-carriage, are wheels made of one piece of wood, from 12 to 19 inches diameter; and their thickness is always equal to the calibre of the gun.

The trucks of garrison-carriages are sometimes made of cast iron.

A truck-carriage goes upon four trucks of 24 inches diameter; has two flat side pieces of ten inches broad, and serves to carry guns, ammunition boxes, or any other weights, from the store houses to the water side, or to any small distance.

To TRUCKLE. This word is adopted from the trucklebed, which is a low mean bed that can be pushed under another. Hence,

To TRUCKLE TO. To submit to; to allow the superiority of another.

TRUEBORN. According to Dr. Johnson, having a right by birth to any title.

TRUELLE, Fr. A trowel.

TRULL. A vagrant strumpet; or one that has promiscuous dealings upon the road or elsewhere, with men of all descriptions. Hence, a soldier’s trull. In every well regulated camp and garrison the utmost precaution should be taken, to prevent these wretches from having the least intercourse with the soldiery. Notwithstanding the presumed, or reputed immorality of the French nation, the strictest regard was paid to the character and health of their armies. During the monarchy, prostitutes were publicly exposed upon a wooden horse. See CHEVAL DE BOIS.

TRUMEAU, Fr. In architecture, the space in a wall which is between two windows. It also signifies a pier-glass.

TRUMPET, or Trump. A wind instrument made of brass or silver, with a mouth piece to take out and put in at pleasure. Each troop of cavalry has one.

TRUMPETER. The soldier who sounds the trumpet.

TRUMPET Soundings. See SOUNDINGS.

TRUNCHEON. A club; a cudgel; also a staff of command. The truncheon was for several ages the sign of office; generals were presented with the truncheon as the sign of investiture with command; and all those officers who belonged to the suite of the general, and were not attached to regiments, carried a truncheon or staff, whence the name of officers of the staff. See BATOON.

To TRUNCHEON. To beat with a truncheon. Dr. Johnson has quoted a passage out of Shakespeare, which is extremely apposite to those blustering imposing characters that sometimes annoy public places, and commit swindling acts of depredation under the assumed title of captain. Captain! thou abominable cheater! if captains were of my mind, they would truncheon you out of taking their names upon you before you earned them!

TRUNCHEONEER. One armed with a truncheon.

TRUNNIONS, in guns. Two cylindric pieces of metal in a gun, mortar, or howitzer, which project from pieces of ordnance, and by which they are supported upon their carriages. See CANNON.

TRUNNION-plates, are two plates in travelling carriages, mortars, and howitzers, which cover the upper parts of the side-pieces, and go under the trunnions. The French have made improvements on this article; they have two pair of trunnion plates; one pair, in which the gun is placed for action; the gun is removed into the other for travelling; and are so denominated. See Am. Mil. Lib.

TRUSQUINS, Fr. Tools made use of by carpenters and joiners. They are called trusquins d’assemblage, and trusquins à longue pointe.

TRUSS. A bundle; as a bundle of hay or straw. Any thing thrust close together. Trusses of this description have been sometimes used in military affairs. The men carrying them in front for the purpose of deadening shot.

TRUSS of forage, is as much as a trooper can carry on his horse’s crupper. See SPUN HAY.

To TRUST. To give credit to, on promise of payment. No soldier shall be liable to be arrested for a sum under 20l. and then an oath of the debt must be made before a magistrate.

TRUSTY. Honest; faithful; true; fit to be trusted. This word is used in the preamble of military commissions, &c. viz. To our trusty and well beloved.

TUBE, Fr. A pipe, a siphon. It is particularly applied to optical instruments.

TUBES of tin plates are the best for service. Tubes must pass through a guage of ²⁄₁₀ of an inch diameter. The composition is mealed powder, mixt up stiff with spirits of wine. They are made up in bundles of 100 each.