01 a. Conformable to fact; in accordance with the actual state of things; correct; not false, erroneous, inaccurate, or the like; as, a true rela…
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1.
Conformable to fact; in accordance with the actual state of things; correct; not false, erroneous, inaccurate, or the like; as, a true relation or narration; a true history; a declaration is true when it states the facts.
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2.
Right to precision; conformable to a rule or pattern; exact; accurate; as, a true copy; a true likeness of the original.“Making his eye, foot, and hand keep true time.” — Sir W. Scott.
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3.
Steady in adhering to friends, to promises, to a prince, or the like; unwavering; faithful; loyal; not false, fickle, or perfidious; as, a true friend; a wife true to her husband; an officer true to his charge.“Thy so true, So faithful, love unequaled.” — Milton.“Dare to be true: nothing can need a lie.” — Herbert.
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4.
Actual; not counterfeit, adulterated, or pretended; genuine; pure; real; as, true balsam; true love of country; a true Christian.“The true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.” — John i. 9.“True ease in writing comes from art, not chance.” — Pope.
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5.
Genuine; real; not deviating from the essential characters of a class; as, a lizard is a true reptile; a whale is a true, but not a typical, mammal.(Biol.)
Phrases & compounds
Out of true —
varying from correct mechanical form, alignment, adjustment, etc.; -- said of a wall that is not perpendicular, of a wheel whose circumference is not in the same plane, and the like.
A true bill —
a bill of indictment which is returned by the grand jury so indorsed, signifying that the charges to be true.
True time —
See under Time.