Dictionary entry

Trite

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Trite (?), a. [L. tritus, p. p. of terere to rub, to wear out; probably akin to E. throw. See Throw, and cf. Contrite, Detriment, Tribulation, Try.] Worn out; common; used until so common as to have lost novelty and interest; hackneyed; stale; as, a trite remark; a trite subject. — Trite″ly, adv. — Trite″ness, n.