truckle

truckle
{{11}}truckle (n.) "small wheel or roller," late 14c., from Anglo-Fr. trocle, from L. trochlea "a small wheel, sheaf of a pulley," from Gk. trokhileia "a pulley," from trokhos "wheel," from trekhein "to run," from PIE root *dhregh- "to run" (Cf. O.Ir. droch "wheel," Lith. pa-drosti "to run fast"). Truckle bed "small bed on wheels that can be stowed under a larger bed" is from mid-15c.
{{12}}truckle (v.) "give up or submit tamely," 1610s, "sleep in a truckle bed" (see TRUCKLE (Cf. truckle) (n.)). Meaning "give precedence, assume a submissive position" (1650s, implied in truckling) is perhaps in reference to that type of bed being used by servants and inferiors, or from it simply occupying the lower position. Related: Truckled; truckling.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Truckle — Truc kle, v. i. [From truckle in truckle bed, in allusion to the fact that the truckle bed on which the pupil slept was rolled under the large bed of the master.] To yield or bend obsequiously to the will of another; to submit; to creep. Small,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • truckle — [truk′əl] n. [ME trocle < L trochlea, pulley, roller: see TROCHLEA] short for TRUCKLE BED vi. truckled, truckling [< TRUCKLE (BED): with reference to its low position] to be servile; cringe, submit, toady, etc.: usually with to …   English World dictionary

  • Truckle — Truc kle, n. [Dim. of truck a wheel; or from the kindred L. trochlea a block, sheaf containing one or more pulleys. See {Truck} a wheel.] A small wheel or caster. Hudibras. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Truckle — Truc kle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Truckled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Truckling}.] To roll or move upon truckles, or casters; to trundle. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • truckle — verb crawl, cringe, fawn, grovel, toady, yield to the wishes of others Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • truckle to — index pander Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • truckle — *fawn, toady, cringe, cower Analogous words: defer, succumb, bow, cave, *yield, submit: *follow, tag, trail, tail …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • truckle — [v] fawn apple polish*, be servile, bootlick*, brownnose*, butter up*, cajole, fall all over, fall on one’s knees*, flatter, grovel, honey up*, kiss one’s feet*, kiss up*, kowtow*, lay it on*, lick boots*, massage*, oil*, pay court*, play up to* …   New thesaurus

  • truckle — truckle1 truckler, n. trucklingly, adv. /truk euhl/, v.i., truckled, truckling. to submit or yield obsequiously or tamely (usually fol. by to): Don t truckle to unreasonable demands. [1605 15; special use of obs. truckle to sleep on a truckle bed …   Universalium

  • truckle — I. /ˈtrʌkəl / (say trukuhl) phrase (truckled, truckling) truckle to, to submit to or yield to obsequiously or tamely. {special use of obsolete truckle (verb) sleep on truckle bed} –truckler, noun II. /ˈtrʌkəl / (say trukuhl) noun 1. → pulley. 2.… …  

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