Obs. rare. [a. F. tranchefil (Cotgr. trenchefile), f. tranche, imper. of trancher to cut + fil thread.]
1. In a double-stringed cross-bow, the part by which the two strings were united and into which the neb or tip of the bolt was set in shooting; the material of which this was made. Cf. TRENCH sb. 7 and quot. 1611 there.
1369–72. Exch. Acc. K. R., Bundle 178 No. 16 m. 4 (P. R. O.). Patricio Byker artillario Regis … lxiiij lb. fili pro cordis balistarum lij lb. trussyngthred lj. lb. di. trenchefyll.
2. Part of a bridle: according to Cotgrave, ‘a snaffle, or the mouth of a snaffle, or watering Bit.’
1730–6. Bailey (folio), Bitt (with Horsemen) in general signifies the whole Machine of a Bridle, as the Bit-mouth, the Branches, the Curb, the sevil Holes, the Tranchefil, and the Cross-chains.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp, Tranchefile, in the manege, the cross chain of a bridle that runs along the bit-mouth, from one branch to the other.
