The Middle Dutch word is the source of Dutch trijsen 'to hoist', Danish trisse 'pulley' and, apparently, German triezen 'to pester'. Hence 'at a tryse', as the phrase stood in the mid-15th century seems to have meant literally 'at a single tug'. The noun apparently was borrowed from Middle Dutch trisen 'hoist' or trise 'pulley'. Word History: This word's meaning moved from (1) above to (2), thence to (3). In Play: While the meaning of the phrase 'in a trice' is simply 'very quickly', the timing itself may vary materially: 'When the sulfur Grimaldi had placed on the radiator began to smell, the dance floor emptied in a trice.' The verbal sense is still around, though rarely encountered: 'Lonny triced up the window shade to see what sort of day he faced.'

This word also functions as a verbal alternate for hoist, raise or lift, as in 'trice the ladder up' or 'trice the sail up'. 'At a trice' and 'with a trice' are now outdated. Notes: This word is now only used in the idiomatic expressions 'in a trice' and 'on a trice', meaning simply 'very quickly, forthwith'. An instant, moment, very short period of time. (Obsolete) A tug on a windlass or pulley.

Instant alpha in word