Etymology From Middle English trusse, from Old French trousse, torse, from Vulgar Latin *torsus, variant of Classical Latin tortus, past participle of torqueō. Doublet of torse and trousse.
A bandage and belt used to hold a hernia in place.
A truss may keep the abdominal contents from protruding into the hernial sac; however, this won't cure the hernia.2008, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, chapter 4, in Professional Guide to Diseases, →ISBN, page 280:
2
Architecture A structure made up of one or more triangular units made from straight beams of wood or metal, which is used to support a structure as in a roof or bridge.
The weight of the wrought-ironwork in each of the trusses is 460 tons, inclusive of the longitudinal and cross girders weighing 130 tons.1952 September, “Chepstow River Bridge Centenary”, in Railway Magazine, page 623:
An old English farming measurement. One truss of straw equalled 36 pounds, a truss of old hay equalled 56 pounds, a truss of new hay equalled 60 pounds, and 36 trusses equalled one load.
bearing a truss of trifles at his back1579, Immeritô [pseudonym; Edmund Spenser], “May. Ægloga Quinta.”, in The Shepheardes Calender: […], London: […] Iohn Wolfe for Iohn Harrison the yonger, […], →OCLC:
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Historical A padded jacket or dress worn under armour, to protect the body from the effects of friction.
Puts off his palmer's weed unto his truss, which bore / The stains of ancient arms.1612, Michael Drayton, “(please specify the chapter)”, in [John Selden], editor, Poly-Olbion. Or A Chorographicall Description of Tracts, Riuers, Mountaines, Forests, and Other Parts of this Renowned Isle of Great Britaine, […], London: […] [Humphrey Lownes] for M[athew] Lownes; I[ohn] Browne; I[ohn] Helme; I[ohn] Busbie, →OCLC:
Etymology From Middle English trussen, from Old French trousser.
1
To tie up a bird before cooking it.
2
To secure or bind with ropes.
Very largely haue I inueighed againſt this vice [gluttony] elſvvhere, vvherefore heere I vvill truſſe it vp more ſurcinct;^([sic – meaning succinct]) […]1593, Tho[mas] Nashe, Christs Teares Over Ierusalem. […], London: […] Iames Roberts, and are to be solde by Andrewe Wise, […], →OCLC, folio 76, verso:
3
To support.
4
To take fast hold of; to seize and hold firmly; to pounce upon.
who trussing me as eagle doth his prey1596, Edmund Spenser, “Book IV, Canto VII”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 18:
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To strengthen or stiffen, as a beam or girder, by means of a brace or braces.
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Archaic, Slang To execute by hanging; to hang; usually with up.
If they must truss me, I will repent of nothing1818 July 25, Jedediah Cleishbotham [pseudonym; Walter Scott], Tales of My Landlord, Second Series, […] (The Heart of Mid-Lothian), volume (please specify |volume=I to IV), Edinburgh: […] [James Ballantyne and Co.] for Archibald Constable and Company, →OCLC: