troll

/troul/

Thân thiện

A fisherman slowly trolls a lure behind his small boat.

Definition

1. Noun:

   • A supernatural creature in folklore: In Scandinavian folklore, a troll is a mythical being, often depicted as either a giant or a dwarf, that is said to live in mountains, caves, or under bridges.
   • A type of song: A troll is a partsong, specifically a round, where voices begin the same melody one after another, creating a harmonious, overlapping effect.
   • A fishing lure or technique: A troll is a type of bait or lure used in the fishing method of trolling, which involves drawing a baited line through the water.

2. Verb:

   • To fish by trailing a line: To troll means to fish by dragging a baited line or lure behind a moving boat.
   • To sing in a round: To troll means to sing the parts of a round or song in succession.
   • To speak or recite rapidly: To troll can mean to speak or recite something in a rolling, continuous voice.
   • To circulate or move around: To troll can mean to cause something to move round and round or to circulate.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The story warned of a troll living under the bridge. (Refers to the mythical creature.)
  • They sang a merry troll around the campfire. (Refers to the type of song.)
  • He attached a shiny troll to his fishing line. (Refers to the fishing lure.)

• Verb:

  • We decided to troll for salmon in the deep channel. (Refers to the fishing method.)
  • The choir began to troll the familiar hymn. (Refers to singing in a round.)
  • The poet would troll his verses with great flair. (Refers to reciting rapidly.)

Advanced Usage

• "To troll the waters": To search or fish in an area by moving through it with a baited line.

  • The boat slowly trolled the waters of the bay.

• "To troll for information": To attempt to elicit a response or information, often in a casual or indirect manner. (Note: This is distinct from the modern internet slang meaning of provoking others online).

  • The reporter trolled the crowd for opinions on the new policy.

Variants and Related Words

• Trolling (gerund/noun): The act of fishing by trailing a baited line.

  • Trolling is an effective method for catching lake trout.

• Troller (noun): A person or boat that fishes by trolling.

  • The troller moved steadily along the coast.

Synonyms

• Noun (creature): Ogre, goblin.
• Verb (fish): Trail, drag.
• Verb (sing): Chant, carol.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Troll along: To move or proceed at a steady, often leisurely pace.
  • We spent the afternoon trolling along the riverbank.

Related Idioms

• "To feed the trolls": (Modern, internet idiom) To respond to provocative online comments, thereby encouraging the person making them. (Note: This idiom derives from the modern, separate slang meaning of "troll" as an online provocateur, not the core definitions listed above).
  • The moderator advised the forum members not to feed the trolls.

Học thuật

Noun

1. angling by drawing a baited line through the water
2. a fisherman's lure that is used in trolling
   • he used a spinner as his troll
3. a partsong in which voices follow each other; one voice starts and others join in one after another until all are singing different parts of the song at the same time
   • they enjoyed singing rounds
4. (Scandanavian folklore) a supernatural creature (either a dwarf or a giant) that is supposed to live in caves or in the mountains

Verb

1. speak or recite rapidly or in a rolling voice
2. praise or celebrate in song
   • All tongues shall troll you
3. sing loudly and without inhibition
4. angle with a hook and line drawn through the water
5. sing the parts of (a round) in succession
6. cause to move round and round
   • The child trolled her hoop
7. circulate, move around

Từ đồng nghĩa

• trolling
• round