A brief space of time; instant — used chiefly in the phrase in a trice

ETYM Old Eng. trisen; of Scand. or Low German origin; cf. Swed. trissa a sheave, pulley, triss a spritsail brace, Dan. tridse a pulley, tridse to haul by means of a pulley, to trice, lg. trisse a pulley, Dutch trijsen to hoist.
1. To hoist up or in and lash or secure with a small rope; SYN. trice up.
2. To raise with a line, as of a window shade; SYN. trice up.
3. To haul in and lash secure a sail with a small rope.