Chiefly Sc. Obs. Also 9 trinquet. [Origin unknown (unless connected with TRINKET sb.1 3, or TRICK sb. or v.). Cf. also TRINKLE v.3] intr. To have clandestine communications or underhand dealings with; to intrigue with; to act in an underhand way, prevaricate.
1647. [see trinketing vbl. sb. below].
1651. Mr. Love’s Case, 37. Was there any such Article … by which he stood in Conscience bound to trinket with the declared and professed Enemies of the State?
1676. Fountainhall, in M. P. Brown, Suppl. Dict. Decis. (1826), III. 67. If the witness be found lying and trinketing in thir, it vilifies and derogates much from the weight and faith of his testimony.
a. 1734. North, Exam., I. ii. § 63 (1740), 63. Had the Popish Lords … not trinketed with the Enemies of that [the Crown] and themselves.
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxxviii. Tampering and trinketing with hellish cures. Ibid. (1821), Kenilw., xxxvi. A woman, who trinkets and traffics with my worst foes!
Hence † Trinketer1, one who has underhand dealings; a secret trafficker; an intriguer; † Trinketing vbl. sb., underhand dealing or trafficking.
1651. Mr. Love’s Case, 40. Mr. [Chr.] Love with the rest of his fellow *Trinketers, divided their thoughts and endeavors between doing of mischief … and the keeping themselves out of danger.
1821. Scott, Kenilw., ix. If he becomes thus a trinketer with Satan.
1646. R. Baillie, Lett., 1 Dec. (1841), II. 412. The King, all his lyfe, hes loved *trinketting naturally and is thought to be much in that action now with all parties.
1647. Hamilton, Papers (Camden), 149. Some talk confidently of fresh trinketting with the King.
a. 1716. South, Serm. (1717), VI. 126. By their Tricks and Trinketting, between Party and Party.
1827. Scott, Surg. Dau., i. To abhor all trafficking or trinketing with Papists.
