troll
UK /tɹɒl/ · US /tɹɑl/ noun, verb, proper noun
Forms trolls trolling trolled trollest trolledst trolleth trowl trowle
- noun (originally Scandinavian mythology, now also European folklore and fantasy) a giant supernatural being, especially a grotesque humanoid creature living in caves or hills or under bridges.
- noun (Scandinavian mythology, obsolete) A type of diminutive supernatural being; a dwarf.
- noun (derogatory, slang) An ugly or unpleasant person.
- noun (astronomy, meteorology) An optical ejection from the top of the electrically active core region of a thunderstorm that is red in colour and seems to occur after tendrils of vigorous sprites extend downward towards cloudtops.
- noun (informal, Michigan) A Michigander who lives on the mainland, i.e. not a resident of the Upper Peninsula, so named due to living south of the Mackinaw Bridge.
- verb To move (something, especially a round object) by, or as if by, rolling; to bowl, to roll, to trundle.
- verb (obsolete) Often followed by in: to cause (something) to flow or roll in like a stream.
- verb To roll; also, to turn round and round; to rotate, to spin, to whirl.
- verb To move or walk at a leisurely pace; to ramble, to saunter, to stroll.
- verb (specifically, slang) Chiefly of a man: synonym of cruise (“to stroll about to find a (male) sexual partner”).
- verb (obsolete) Followed by in: to flow or roll in like a stream.
- verb (music, archaic) To sing the parts of (a catch, round, or similar song) in succession; also (generally), to sing (a song) freely or in a carefree way, or loudly.
- verb (obsolete) To pass (something, specifically a bowl or other communal drinking vessel) from one person to another; to circulate, to send about.
- noun An act of moving round; a repetition, a routine.
- noun An act of fishing by using a running fishing line, or by trailing a line with bait or lures behind a boat.
- noun A fishing line, bait, or lure used to fish in these ways.
- noun (figurative, originally Internet slang) An inflammatory or insincere statement posted in an attempt to lure others into combative argument (a flame war), originally a way for regulars (long-time users) to poke light-hearted fun at new posters (especially in Usenet newsgroups) and promote in-group cohesion ("trolling for newbies").
- noun (by extension, originally Internet slang) A person who makes or posts inflammatory or insincere statements in an attempt to lure others into combative argument for purposes of personal entertainment or to manipulate their perception, especially in an online community or discussion.
- noun (by extension, politics) A person who sows discord, or spreads misinformation or propaganda, in order to promote an agenda as part of an organized political campaign.
- noun (by extension, derogatory, informal) A company, person, etc., that owns and legally enforces copyrights, patents, trademarks, or other intellectual property rights in an aggressive and opportunistic manner, often with no intention of commercially exploiting the subjects of the rights.
Synonyms
trow biffer boner-shrinker bonerkiller buttface choad frump minger monkey monkeyface munter pukeface schlub stinka trollface uggo ugly duckling punk bait flamebait round trolling
Antonyms
beaut beauty bobby-dazzler crumpet dish vision dreamboat eye candy good looker looker lulu sex on a stick
Etymology
* from Middle English trol (“demon (?); sorcerer (?)”) [and other forms], from Old Norse trǫll (“conjurer, mage; witch”), from Proto-Germanic *truzlą (“supernatural being; demon, fiend; giant; monster”), probably from *trudaną (“to step on; to tread”) + *-ilą (suffix forming agent nouns); and
* borrowed from Norwegian Bokmål troll, Swedish troll, or Danish trold, from Old Norse trǫll (see above).
Doublet of droll and trow.
* Danish fortrylle (“to bewitch”), trylle (“to conjure”)
* Middle High German trol, crewtrolle (“spook, wraith; ogre, monster”)
* Norwegian fortrylle (“to bewitch”), trylle (“to conjure”)
* Swedish trolla (“to conjure”)
The verb is derived from Middle English trollen (“to go about, wander; to move (something) to and fro, rock; to roll; to turn”) [and other forms], of uncertain origin; perhaps in part from Old French troller (“to run here and there; to walk aimlessly, ramble, stroll; (hunting) to wander about looking for game”) (modern French troller); further etymology uncertain, yet probably from or related to Middle High German trollen (“to stroll, walk with short strides”) (modern German trollen (“to move slowly, trundle; to push off, toddle off”)), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *truzlōną (“to lumber”), which is probably related to *trudaną (“to step on, tread”) (see further at etymology 1). Doublet of trull.
Verb etymology 2, verb sense 4.2.2 (“to fish using a line and bait or lures trailed behind a boat”) is possibly influenced by trail and/or trawl.
The noun is probably derived from the verb. Noun etymology 2, noun sense 4 (“person who makes or posts inflammatory or insincere statements in an attempt to lure others into combative argument”) is possibly influenced by troll (etymology 1).
* Middle Low German drullen (“to stroll”) (Low German trullen (“to troll”))
A term coined by Yoopers to refer to residents of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, because trolls live "under the bridge" (referring to the Mackinac Bridge).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A supernatural being, often represented as of diminutive size, but sometimes as a giant, and fabled to inhabit caves, hills, and like places; a witch. Troll flower. (Bot.) Same as Globeflower (a).
- verb To move circularly or volubly; to roll; to turn.
- verb To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking.
- verb To roll; to run about; to move around; as, to troll in a coach and six.
Etymology [Icel. troll. Cf. Droll, Trull.]
Etymology [OE. trollen to roll, F. trôler, Of. troller to drag about, to ramble; probably of Teutonic origin; cf. G. trollen to roll, ramble, sich trollen to be gone; or perhaps for trotler, fr. F. trotter to trot (cf. Trot.). Cf. Trawl.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “troll”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details