Obs. Forms: 3 treste(n, 5–6 trest; also 4 pa. t. treste. [A parallel form to TRAIST v., TRIST v., TRUST v.

1

  Morsbach considers it a phonetic variant of trist. But in the northern and Sc. examples it may be merely a variant spelling of traist, perh. under English influence.]

2

  1.  refl. To commit oneself securely, to trust (in, of, on): cf. TRAIST v. 1.

3

a. 1250.  Prov. Ælfred, 505, in O. E. Misc., 132. On him þu maist þe tresten.

4

1422.  trans. Secreta Secret., Priv. Priv., xl. 198. That neuer he shold hym treste of the helpe of his god … This kynge Ezechie hym trested in god.

5

  2.  intr. To trust (of, to, or with inf.): = TRAIST v. 2.

6

c. 1275.  Lay., 17941. For sealde he aswint Þat to him seolue tresteþ.

7

13[?].  Sir Beues (A.), 3520. Meche a [= he] treste to Arondel.

8

c. 1400.  Apol. Loll., 66. Wan þe man trestiþ of þis absolucoun, wening him siker … & mendiþ not.

9

1405.  in Roy. & Hist. Lett. Hen. IV. (Rolls), 159. Treste ȝe nought to no Leutenaunt.

10

c. 1425.  XI Pains of Hell, 347, in O. E. Misc., 221. Y pray ȝou seris trest wele hereto.

11

c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), xxii. 17. Ay tresting for to speid.

12

  b.  trans. with simple obj. (? orig. dative), or clause: = TRAIST v. 2 b.

13

c. 1275.  Lay., 2351. Ac he nam one hired man Þat wel he treste con.

14

1500–20.  Dunbar, Poems, xiii. 11. Is na man thair that trestis ane vther.

15

c. 1560.  A. Scott, Poems (S.T.S.), xxx. 8. Trest weill this taill is trew.

16

1570.  Satir. Poems Reform., xvii. 183. He may, I trest, set vs at rest.

17