True (tr&oomac;), a.
(Biol.) Genuine; real; not deviating from the essential characters of a class; as, a lizard is a true reptile; a whale is a true, but not a typical, mammal.
True , adv. In accordance with truth; truly.
Shak.
True (?), a.
[Compar. Truer (?); superl.
Truest.]
[OE. trewe, AS.
treówe faithful, true, from treów fidelity, faith, troth; akin to OFries. triuwe, adj., treuwa, n., OS. triuwi, adj.,
trewa, n., D. trouw,
adj. & n., G. treu, adj.,
treue, n., OHG. gitriuwi, adj.,
triuwa, n., Icel.
tryggr, adj., Dan. tro, adj. & n., Sw. trogen, adj., tro, n., Goth. triggws, adj.,
triggwa, n., trauan to
trust, OPruss druwis faith. Cf. Trow, Trust, Truth.]
1. Conformable to fact; in accordance with the actual state of things; correct; not false, erroneous, inaccurate, or the like; as,
a true relation or narration; a true history; a declaration is true when it states the facts.
2. Right to precision; conformable
to a rule or pattern; exact; accurate; as, a true
copy; a true likeness of the original.
Making his eye, foot, and
hand keep true time.
Sir W. Scott.
3. Steady in adhering to friends, to promises, to a
prince, or the like; unwavering; faithful; loyal; not false, fickle, or perfidious; as, a true friend; a wife true to her husband; an officer true to his charge.
Thy so true,
So faithful, love unequaled.
Milton.
Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie.
Herbert.
4. Actual; not counterfeit,
adulterated, or pretended;
genuine; pure; real; as, true balsam; true love of country; a
true Christian.
The true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.
John i. 9.
True ease
in writing comes from art, not chance.
Pope. &fist; True is sometimes used elliptically for It is true.
Out of true, varying from correct mechanical form, alignment, adjustment, etc.; -- said of a wall that is not perpendicular, of a wheel whose
circumference is not in the same plane, and the like. [Colloq.] -- A true bill (Law), a bill of indictment which is returned by the grand jury so indorsed, signifying that the charges to be
true. -- True time. See under Time.
Hear it pronounced