The form intrust, though preferred in many recent Dicts., is now rare in actual use.]
1. trans. To invest with a trust; to confide a task, an object of care to (a person, etc.); to commission or employ in a manner implying confidence.
a. Const. to with inf., † for (a purpose), in (a business); also simply. Obs. or arch. exc. in Law.
α. 1602. Carew, Cornwall, 82 b. They … were wont to be entrusted [printed entrused], for the Subsidiary Cohort, or band of supply.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., III. xi. 130–1. So doth it [the Griffin] well make out the properties of a Guardian, or any person entrusted.
1665. G. Havers, P. della Valle’s Trav. E. India, 31. The last Advertisements … argue that the King still entrusts him.
1666. Pepys, Diary (1879), IV. 108. The report we received from those entrusted in the fleete to inform us.
1691. in W. Perry, Hist. Coll. Amer. Col. Ch. (1860), I. v a. 4. The Archbishop of Canterbury … was wholly entrusted by the King and Court for all Ecclesiastical affairs.
1759. Robertson, Hist. Scot., I. II. 112. The clergy were entrusted because they alone were properly qualified for the trust.
1836. [J. Grant], Random Recoll. Ho. Lords, xiii. 290. Earl Grey … entrusted his son-in-law in the execution of so important a task.
1885. Law Rep. Q. Bench Div. XIV. 202. The Attorney General only … was entrusted by the constitution to sue for the King.
β. 1649. Milton, Eikon., Wks. 1738, I. 387. The Governor besought humbly to be excus’d, till he could send notice to the Parlament who had intrusted him.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb. (1704), III. XII. 254. Sr Benjamin Wright; who was intrusted by them to sollicite at Madrid for their Pass.
b. Const. with (the charge or duty confided).
α. 1651. Hobbes, Leviath., II. xx. 105. Monarchs, or Assemblies, entrusted with power.
1688. Shadwell, Sqr. Alsatia, V. 80. Who are the Ladies you have entrusted me with, Ned?
1748. Anson’s Voy., I. iii. 36. A carpenter, whom he entrusted with a large sum of money.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., II. 203. The other was entrusted with all the mysteries of Tory diplomacy.
1879. M. Arnold, Porro unum, &c. Mixed Ess., 160. New and denominational universities … ought not to be entrusted with power to confer degrees.
β. 1676. Wilkins, Nat. Relig., II. viii. 390 (R.). They … are careful to improve the Talents they are intrusted withal.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 541. He … was so little disposed to intrust them with political power that he thought them unfit even to enjoy personal freedom.
2. To confide the care or disposal of (a thing or person), the execution of (a task) to, † with a person. Also, to trust, commit the safety of (oneself, one’s property, etc.) to a thing.
1618. Bolton, Florus, II. vi. 106. Entrusting a part of their Army to Appius Consull.
1655–60. Stanley, Hist. Philos. (1701), 75/2. His Father dying, left him … fourscore Minæ, which being entrusted with a Friend for Improvement, they miscarried.
1715. Addr., in Lond. Gaz., No. 5332/1. The Business of the Commission intrusted with us.
1722. De Foe, Col. Jack (1840), 31. It was an errand of too much consequence to be entrusted to a boy.
1792. Anecd. W. Pitt, I. xvii. 281. The Defence of the island was entrusted to a constitutional and well-disciplined militia.
1818. Byron, Ch. Har., IV. clxx. How we did entrust Futurity to her!
1868. Milman, St. Paul’s, iii. 72. The temporalities of the see were entrusted to the Dean and Chapter.
Mod. I should not like to entrust my safety to such a boat as that.
Hence Entrusted ppl. a. Entrusting vbl. sb.
1642. Declar. Lords & Com., Ordinance Lond., 13 April, 3. Such entrusted persons as they shall appoint.
1660. Milton, Free Commw., 451. Having … many Commonwealths under one united and entrusted Sov’ranty.
a. 1700. Dryden, Charac. Good Parson, Wks. 1821, XI. 397. Intrusted riches to relieve the poor.
1818. Keats, Endym., I. 758. Then wherefore sully the entrusted gem Of high and noble life with thoughts so sick?
1851. G. S. Faber, Many Mansions (1854), 309. The seat of the Fallen Hierarch’s Entrusted Dominion.
1884. Ruskin, in Pall Mall Gaz., 20 Sept., 42. After twelve hundred years’ entrusting of the Gospel to them [the clergy].
