Also 6 tryn-, trinkett(e, 7 trinckett. [Origin uncertain; has the form of a diminutive in -ET.
From the similarity of form, it has been suggested that this is the same word as TRENKET or trynket, a small knife, spec. a shoemaker’s knife. But to such a transition of sense the general sense-history of the word from 1533 offers no confirmation. Another suggestion, supported by other words with trink- for trick-, is that this may be in some way related to TRICK sb. or v.; cf. esp. TRICK sb. 6 b; but here also evidence is wanting. Godefroy has a single instance of OF. tryncle, 1474, evidently denoting a piece of jewellery: cf. sense 2.)
† 1. Any small article forming part of an outfit; usually pl. the tools, implements, or tackle of an occupation; paraphernalia, accoutrements, ‘traps.’
a. 1536. Calisto & Mel., A vj. I haue … sene her trynkettes For payntyng thynges inumerable Squalmys & balmys.
1560. Daus, trans. Sleidane’s Comm., 114 b. A conjuror … had all his trynkettes and furniture concerning suche matters in a redinesse.
1573. Tusser, Husb. (1878), 36. Husbandlie furniture [in the stable] … A line to fetch litter, and halters for hed, With crotchis and pinnes, to hang trinkets theron, And stable fast chained, that nothing be gon.
1583. Stubbes, Anat. Abus., II. (1882), 49. Cheese, fagots, pots, pannes, candles, and a thousand other trinkets besides.
1598. Hakluyt, Voy., I. 62. The poorer sort of common souldiers haue euery man his leather bag or sachell well sowen together, wherin he packs vp all his trinkets.
1606. S. Gardiner, Bk. Angling, 48. Sundrie and many are the trinkets that belong to fishing.
1693. Dryden, Juvenal’s Sat., VI. 212. Pack up with all your Trinkets, and away.
1787. W. Taylor, Poems, 67. I’ se gie her … A rock an’ reel, pot, pan, an’ wheel, An’ mony mae usefu’ trinkets.
† b. Applied to articles of food: A sweet, a dainty trifle. Obs.
1587. Wills & Inv. N. C. (Surtees), II. 158. xij lbs of synnamount comffettes 20/-. For banketinges disshes, as socatte and sewgar trinkettes, 10/-.
1822. Scott, Nigel, xxiii. Let Tim send the ale … with a bit of diet-loaf, or some such trinket.
2. A small ornament or fancy article, usually an article of jewellery for personal adornment.
a. 1533. Ld. Berners, Gold. Bk. M. Aurel., Let. v. (1535), Ff ij. But I wold wyt … what goodly trinkettes ye hope to were in the straytnes of the Sepulchre.
1577. Harrison, England, II. vii. (1877), I. 168. To receiue some other trinket newlie deuised by the fickle headed tailors.
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., II. vii. 37 b. They were many chaines, tablets, and other trynkets of gold.
1674. trans. Scheffer’s Lapland, 89. The weight of the trinkets they [Lapp women] carry about them doth commonly weigh twenty pound.
1713. Gay, Fan, I. 115. Each trinket that adorns the modern dame, First to these little artists ow’d its frame.
1726. Swift, Gulliver, II. iv. Trinkets, of which the girl was very fond, as children at her age usually are.
1774. Goldsm., Nat. Hist. (1776), VI. 396. The tortoise-shell of which such a variety of beautiful trinkets are made.
1849. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., iv. I. 473. Half as much as he proposed to expend in covering his wife with trinkets.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea (1876), I. i. 14. Down to the giving of trinkets and ribbons, he was not forgetful.
† 3. fig. Applied esp. to the decorations of worship, and to religious rites, ceremonies, beliefs, etc., which the speaker thinks vain or trivial. Obs.
1538. London, in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden), 224. I have pullyd down the image of your lady … with all trynkettes abowt the same, as schrowdes, candels, images of wexe, crowches, and brochys.
1549. Coverdale, etc., Erasm. Par. Col. i. 1. Iewishnes and supersticious Philosophie … supersticiously also honouryng the Sunne, the Moone, and starres, with suche other smal trinkettes of this worlde.
a. 1591. H. Smith, Serm. (1625), 50. Then they invented purgatory, masses, prayers for the dead, and then all their Trinkets.
1655. Fuller, Ch. Hist., II. ii. § 20. The Administration of that Sacrament was not loaded with those Superstitious Ceremonies … of Crossing, Spittle, Oyl, Cream, Salt, and such like Trinkets.
4. attrib. and Comb., as trinket-box, -case, -maker.
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas, IX. i. (Rtldg.), 309. A goldsmith’s daughter! exclaimed I … Can you think of tying me up to a trinket-maker?
1825. T. Hook, Sayings, Ser. II. Sutherl., I. 142. Repeating the question about Grace’s trinket-box.
1841. Mrs. Mozley, Lost Brooch, II. xv. 109. The trinket case was on the toilette table, and open.
1906. W. Churchill, Ld. R. Churchill, II. xvi. 250. The place-hunters and trinket-seekers who surrounded them.
