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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Trilby
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(1894) Romantic novel by George *du Maurier, set in the bohemian Paris which he had known as an art student. Trilby O'Ferrall (unusually tall but 'wistful and sweet') is an artist's model who becomes a successful singer when coached by her hypnotic guru, Svengali. But she grows so dependent on him that when he dies, poor Trilby has not long to live. The word 'trilby' for a soft felt hat, with a brim and an indented crown, derives from one of du Maurier's illustrations in the book, showing Little Billee wearing just such a hat as he tells a dog, Tray, how much he loves Tray's mistress, Alice.
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