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In a trice

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Aquagility | 14:28 Mon 30th Apr 2007 | Phrases & Sayings
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Where does in a trice come from?
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Trice was originally used as a verb form, meaning to pull or snatch. From there, 'at a trice' or, later, 'in a trice' took on the idea of "with one tug"...ie more or less instantaneously.
From Middle English trise meaning 'hoist' as on board a boat. 'Trice a sail' - and do it in an instant, with only a single pull.

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In a trice

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