trow
Rare/ObsoleteArchaic, Poetic, Dialectal
Definition
Meaning
(verb, archaic/dialectal) to believe, think, or suppose.
An old, now mostly obsolete verb, sometimes used in historical, dialectal, or poetic contexts to express belief, opinion, or supposition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Its original sense of 'to believe' or 'to trust' is now defunct in standard English. It may sometimes be encountered as a deliberate archaism to evoke an older style or in specific regional dialects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally archaic in both varieties, but possibly retained slightly longer in specific UK dialects.
Connotations
Conveys an antique, quaint, or rustic feel. Can sound literary or purposefully old-fashioned.
Frequency
Effectively zero in modern standard English. More likely to be encountered in historical texts or literature than in contemporary speech in either region.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP __ (that) + clauseNP __ NP (to be) ADJ/PPNP __ so/notVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “trow not”
- “'tis not to be trow'd”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Never used.
Academic
Only used in philology or historical linguistics when discussing obsolete vocabulary.
Everyday
Not used. Would be incomprehensible to most native speakers.
Technical
No modern usage.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I trow the fellow is not to be trusted.
- The treasure, I trow, lies yonder.
American English
- He is a villain, I trow.
- Trow you they will come at this hour?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- (Not applicable - word is far beyond this level.)
- (Not applicable - word is far beyond this level.)
- In the old poem, the knight said, "I trow we shall win the day."
- The word 'trow' is no longer part of everyday English.
- Shakespeare occasionally uses forms like 'trow' to convey a character's rustic or antiquated speech patterns.
- Philologists trow that 'trow' fell out of common usage by the 18th century.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a TROll wearing a ROW of hats, and you must BELIEVE it's real, even though it's strange. TROW = archaic 'believe'.
Conceptual Metaphor
HOLDING AN IDEA (the original sense relates to Old English 'trewian' meaning 'to trust', linking belief to a held object).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with Russian "трое" (three people) or "тролль". It has no modern, direct equivalent. Translating it as "думать" (to think) is semantically correct but stylistically archaic.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Confusing it with 'throw'.
- Trying to conjugate it in all tenses as a regular modern verb.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'trow' most appropriately used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Almost never. It is considered an archaic or dialectal word, encountered primarily in historical texts, literature, or poetry aiming for an antique effect.
The most common mistake is trying to use it as a normal, current synonym for 'think'. This will confuse listeners and sound unnatural.
No, they are etymologically distinct. 'Trow' comes from Old English 'trewian' (to trust), while 'throw' comes from Old English 'þrawan' (to twist, turn).
The simplest and most accurate translation is 'believe', 'think', or 'suppose', but with the crucial understanding that it conveys an archaic register.