Christ which is to every harm treacle.
Chaucer.
3. Molasses; sometimes, specifically, the molasses which drains from
the sugar-refining molds, and which is also called sugarhouse molasses.
In the United States molasses is the common name; in England, treacle.
4. A saccharine fluid, consisting of the inspissated juices or
decoctions of certain vegetables, as the sap of the birch, sycamore,
and the like.
Treacle mustard (Bot.), a name given to several species of the
cruciferous genus Erysimum, especially the E. cheiranthoides, which was
formerly used as an ingredient in Venice treacle, or theriac. — Treacle
water, a compound cordial prepared in different ways from a variety of
ingredients, as hartshorn, roots of various plants, flowers, juices of
plants, wines, etc., distilled or digested with Venice treacle. It was
formerly regarded as a medicine of great virtue. Nares. — Venice
treacle. (Old Med.) Same as Theriac, 1.
Trea"cly (?), a. Like, or composed of, treacle.
Tread (?), v. i. [imp. Trod (?); p. p. Trodden (?), Trod; p. pr. & vb.
n. Treading.] [OE. treden, AS. tredan; akin to OFries. treda, OS.
tredan, D. & LG. treden, G. treten, OHG. tretan, Icel. tro&?;a, Sw.
tråda, träda, Dan. træde, Goth. trudan, and perhaps ultimately to F.
tramp; cf. Gr. &?; a running, Skr. dram to run. Cf. Trade, Tramp,
Trot.] 1. To set the foot; to step.
Where'er you tread, the blushing flowers shall rise.
Pope.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
Pope.
The hard stone Under our feet, on which we tread and go.
Chaucer.
2. To walk or go; especially, to walk with a stately or a cautious
step.
Ye that . . . stately tread, or lowly creep.
Milton.