truer

[Eng. tru (e), v.; -er.] A truing-tool (q. v.). truff (1), *truffe, subst . (See def.] Turf (a transposed form of the word still in use in Scotland; cf. thirst and thrist .) "No holy truffe was left to hide the head." Davies: Humors; Heaven on Earth , p. 48. truff (2), s. (Etym. doubtful.] A young salmon. (Prov.) "-has forwarded me a specimen of the 'white fish' of the Devons hire Dart with reference to examining whether it is a yearling peal or young of the sea trout, as the truff are locally termed, or a hybrid."- Field , March 3, 1886. truff, v . t . [Etym. doubtful.] To steal. ( Scotch .) truf-fie, trub, *trubbe, subst . [Fr.trufle; Ital. tartuffola , dim in. of tartufo , from Lat. terræ tuber. Pliny's name for the truffle.] Bot., .: Any subterranean fungal of the orders or sub-orders Hypogei and Tube race i (q. v.), and specially of the genus Tuber (q. v.). The greater part of the truffles of commerce belong to the species Tuber æstivum , better known as T.cibarium . It is about the size of a large walnut, black and warty externally, and has the flesh variously marbled. It is found in Europe in beech and oak woods; it is found also in the East Indies and Japan, sometimes ten, twelve, or more inches below the ground, sometimes nearer the surface, but with nothing to indicate its presence. Hence dogs are trained to find it by its smell. It is eaten boiled or stewed. Another species, Tuber moschatum , has a musky odor. The French truffle, T. melanosporum , has darker spores. The Piedmontese truffle, which bears a high reputation, is smooth externally, while the flesh is white tinged with pink. Pigs, in place of dogs, are used to find these species. The African truffle, Terfezia leon is , is abundant in Algiers, but as an esculent is deemed inferior. "Happy the grotto'd hermit with his pulse, Who wants no truffles, rich ragouts-nor Hulse." Dr. Warton: Fashion.