Obs. Forms: see TRUE a. [The phr. true man written as one word; cf. oldman, OLD MAN 1.] A faithful or trusty man; an honest man (as distinguished from a thief or other criminal).
1297. R. Glouc. (Rolls), 7274. Ac þe gode trywemen of þe lond wolde abbe ymad king … edgar aþeling.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 1337. Þys fals men … Þat, for hate, a trewman wyl endyte, And a þefe for syluer quyte.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 11157. Wacchemen for to wale, wacches to kepe, Of trewmen in towres, for treason of other.
1583. Melbancke, Philotimus, Y ij. Thou art like a Thiefe, that thinkes euerye Tree a trueman.
1647. A. Ross, Myst. Poet., xiii. (1675), 326. Thieves … use to stand nearer the Altar of Occasion, than True-men many times do.
