TROLL definition

An array language for continuous simulation, econometric modelling or statistical analysis.

["TROLL Reference Manual", D0062, Info Proc Services, MIT (1973-76)].

(03 Feb 2009)

An electronic mail message, Usenet posting or other (electronic) communication which is intentionally incorrect, but not overtly controversial (compare flame bait), or the act of sending such a message. Trolling aims to elicit an emotional reaction from those with a hair-trigger on the reply key. A really subtle troll makes some people lose their minds.

(01 Mar 1994)

1. To move circularly or volubly; to roll; to turn. "To dress and troll the tongue, and roll the eye." (Milton)

2. To send about; to circulate, as a vessel in drinking. "Then doth she troll to the bowl." (Gammer Gurton's Needle) "Troll the brown bowl." (Sir W. Scott)

3. To sing the parts of in succession, as of a round, a catch, and the like; also, to sing loudly or freely. "Will you troll the catch ?" (Shak) "His sonnets charmed the attentive crowd, By wide-mouthed mortaltrolled aloud." (Hudibras)

4. To angle for with a trolling line, or with a book drawn along the surface of the water; hence, to allure.

5. To fish in; to seek to catch fish from. "With patient angle trolls the finny deep." (Goldsmith)

1. To roll; to run about; to move around; as, to troll in a coach and six.

2. To move rapidly; to wag.

3. To take part in trolling a song.

4. To fish with a rod whose line runs on a reel; also, to fish by drawing the hook through the water. "Their young men . . . Trolled along the brooks that abounded in fish." (Bancroft)

A supernatural being, often represented as of diminutive size, but sometimes as a giant, and fabled to inhabit caves, hills, and like places; a witch. Troll flower.

<botany> Same as Globeflower .

Origin: OE. Trollen to roll, F. Troler, Of. Troller to drag about, to ramble; probably of Teutonic origin; cf. G. Trollen to roll, ramble, sich trollen to be gone; or perhaps for trotler, fr. F. Trotter to trot (cf. Trot). Cf. Trawl.

Origin: Icel. Troll. Cf. Droll, Trull.

(01 Mar 1998)