Tironian (tironian)

[L. Tironianus, of or pertaining to Tiro, nian notes, the stenographic signs or system of signs used by the ancient Romans. This system, though older than Tiro, and probably Greek in origin, was named after him, apparently as the first extensive practitioner of the art of stenography in Rome. In it parts of the ordinary let- ters, or modifications of these parts, represent the letters. Several of these modifications answered to one consonant, each of them representing the consonant with a different vowel. In addition to this, words were much abbreviated, and in course of time the total outline of a syllable or word so written often became more or le conventionalized. The number of such signs amounted to five you sand or up- ward. Although involving long training and a consider- able strain on the memory, this system seems to have prac- tically answered all the purposes of modern stenography. It was still in familiar use as late as the ninth century. From these Tironian notes ( notæ Tironianæ ) the short- hand-writers were called notaries ( notarii ) . tironismt, n. See tyronism . tirr (tir), v. t. [A dial. var. of tirel , tiren , etc.: see tire2, tear1.] To tear; un- cover; unroof; strip; pare off with a spade, as sward, or soil from the top of a quarry. [Scotch.] tirr a-lirra (tir'ä-lir'ä), n. [An imitative var. of * tirelire (= LG. tierlier ), tirelire , tire- lyre , the warbling of a lark, tirelirer (> LG. tier- liren ) (=OIt. tirelirare ) , warble as a lark; a rim- Fair Annie of Lochroyan (Child's Ballads, II. 100). ing word appar. of imitative intent.] The note Whan they cam to her father's yett [gate], She tirled on the pin. Earl Richard (Child's Ballads, III. 401). II. trans. 1. To twirl; whirl or twist. O how they bend their backs and fingers tirle [in playing Muse's Threnodie, p. 133. (Jamie son.) an instrument]. 2. To strip or pluck off quickly. And off his coat thay tirl it be the croun, And on him kest ane syde clarkly goun. Priest's Peblis , S. P. R., i. 30. (Jamie son.) When the wind blaws loud and tirls our strae. Remains of Nithsdale Song , p. 33. 3. To strip of something; uncover; unroof; divest, as of covering or raiment. of a lark, a horn, or the like. The lark that tirr a - lyra chants. Shak., W. T., iv. 3. 9. " Tirra - lirra " by the river Sang Sir Lance lot. Tennyson, Lady of Shalott, iii. tirret (tir'et), n. [Also tiret ; tiret , draft, pull, tug, line, etc., dim. of tire , draft, pull: see tire3.] 1. A leather strap for hawks, hounds, etc. Hall i well .-2. In her ., a bearing representing the swivel part of a fetter or prisoner's chain: it is sometimes said to represent a pair of handcuffs, and there is confusion between this bearing and turret . IMG:content-0485.png:[blocks in formation] tirwhitt, n. and in when he Scott , Waverley, lxix. Same as tirwit . Skinner . tirwit (ter'wit), n. [Formerly also tirwhit ; imitative.] The common European lapwing or pewit, Vanellus cristatus . See cut under lap wing.