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.
☞ 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.