subs. (old).—An old woman; a WITCH (q.v.): in contempt: cf. TROT.

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  c. 1360.  William of Palerne [E.E.T.S.], 4769. Þat þo tvo TRATTES þat william · wold haue traysted.

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  1383.  CHAUCER, The Canterbury Tales, ‘The Freres Tale,’ 7164.

          This Sompnour clappeth at the widewes gate;
Come out, he sayd, thou olde very TRATE.

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  1512–3.  DOUGLAS, Virgil, 122.

        Thus said Dido, and the tothir with that
Hyit on furth with slaw pase like ane TRAT.

4