trill

Meanings

Noun

• A rapid alternation between an indicated note and the one above it, in musical notation usually indicated with the letters tr written above the staff.
• A type of consonantal sound that is produced by vibrations of the tongue against the place of articulation: for example, Spanish ⟨rr⟩, .
• A tremulous high-pitched vocal sound produced by cats.

Verb

• To create a trill sound; to utter trills or a trill; to play or sing in tremulous vibrations of sound; to have a trembling sound; to quaver.
• To impart the quality of a trill to; to utter as, or with, a trill.
• To trickle.
• To twirl.

Adjective

• true, respected

Related

Similar words

• roll

Origin

• From Middle English trillen, from Italian trillo, trillare. Compare Norwegian trille, Swedish trilla.
• Perhaps identical to Etymology 3, but compare the same sense of drill, and German trillen, drillen.
• Probably related to Old English þweran ("to twirl, stir"). Compare twirl, thirl, and Swedish trilla, Norwegian trille, etc.
• Perhaps a .