int. (sb.) Also redupl. trallira, trallara. A kindred vocal utterance to TRA-LA-LA, expressive of light-hearted gaiety.
1801. M. G. Lewis, Grim White Woman, xix. Trallira! trallara! my old love, adieu! Trallira! trallara! I’ll get me a new!
1819. Scott, Ivanhoe, xxxiii. Thou art one of those, who, with new French graces and Tra-li-ras, disturb the ancient English bugle notes.
Hence Tra-li-ra v., intr. to sing tra-li-ra.
1862. S. Lanier, Tournament, i. 10. Heart’s palfrey caracoled gayly round, Heart tra-li-ra’d merrily; But Brain sat still, with never a sound, So cynical-calm was he.
