True, a.
a. [compar. TRUER; superl. TRUEST.] [O. Eng. treue, A-S. treowe, triwe, trywe, faithful, O. Sax. triwi, O. Fries. triāwe, triowe, troiwe, troue, D. trouw, L. Ger. truw, trū, trī, trou, Icel. tryggar, trūr, Dan. tro, Sw. trogen, Goth. triggs, O. H. Ger. triu, triuwi, triwi, M. H. Ger. triuwe, O. Ger. treu, trau, N. H. Ger. treu, getreu. Cf. TROW.]
Sense 1. Conformable to fact; in accordance with the actual state of things; 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. In this sense, true is opposed to false.
'Tis very true, O wise and upright judge. Shak.
Sense 2. Right to precision; conformable to a rule or pattern; exact; as, a true copy; a true likeness of the original.
Thus did he maintain the defensive, making his eye, foot, and hand keep true time. W. Scott.
Sense 3. Steady in adhering to friends, to promises, to a prince, or the like; 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.
Sense 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 bill (Law), words indorsed on a bill of indictment found by the grand jury to be a true bill.