Trill

Pronunciation

• IPA: /tɹɪl/
• Rhymes: -ɪl

Origin

From Middle English trillen. Compare Norwegian trille, Swedish trilla.

Full definition of trill

Noun

1. (music) 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.
2. (phonetics) A type of consonantal sound that is produced by vibrations of the tongue against the place of articulation, for example, Spanish rr.

Derived terms

• trilly

Verb

1. (intransitive) 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.
• DrydenTo judge of trilling notes and tripping feet.
2. (transitive) To impart the quality of a trill to; to utter as, or with, a trill.to trill a note, or the letter r
• ThomsonThe sober-suited songstress trills her lay.
3. (intransitive, obsolete) To trickle.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.30:I come now from seeing of a shepheard at Medoc ... who had no signe at all of genitorie parts: But where they should be, are three little holes, by which his water doth continually tril from him.
• ShakespeareAnd now and then an ample tear trilled down
  Her delicate cheek.
• GloverWhispered sounds
  Of waters, trilling from the riven stone.

Derived terms

• triller