three-pieceadj.n.
A. adj.
1. Of a suite of furniture: comprising three separate items; frequently of a lounge suite: (usually) comprising two armchairs and a sofa.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [adjective] > set of furniture
three-piece1908
1908 Sears, Roebuck Catal. No. 117. 455 Five-piece parlor suite... Three-piece parlor suite.
1952 New Statesman 5 July 10/1 Thankfully home, not to sink onto the centre couch of a three-piece suite.
1976 G. Moffat Short Time to Live ix. 82 The bathroom held..the usual three-piece suite.
1978 E. Malpass Wind brings up Rain xi. 109 A three-piece suite in blue moquette for the front room.
2. Of a suit of clothes: comprising three separate garments; frequently of a man's suit: comprising trousers, jacket, and waistcoat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [adjective] > comprising two or three pieces
two-piecec1880
three-piece1909
1909 in C. W. Cunnington Eng. Women's Clothing in Present Cent. (1952) iii. 91 New Three Piece Suit.
1923 Queen 26 July p. viii The three-piece coat-frock.
1965 F. Sargeson Mem. Peon vi. 134 Three-piece suits were the rule.
1980 TWA Ambassador Oct. 84/2 We try to be a little lively, just to get out of that staid, gray, three-piece-suit mold.
3. Music. Of a band: comprising three instruments or players.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > company of instrumentalists > [adjective] > number of players
three-piece1939
1939 C. R. Cooper Designs in Scarlet ii. 13 A three~piece string band or a full orchestra.
1959 A. J. Wallis & C. F. Blair Thunder Above xii. 125 The band struck up again. The three-piece combination..played German dance music.
1978 M. Russell Daylight Robbery i. 20 The assortment of dance-floor routines that were accompanying the pulsation of a three-piece Latin-American group.
B. n.
1. A three-piece suit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [noun] > comprising two or three pieces
two-piecec1880
three-piece1931
three-piecer1964
twofer1969
1931 W. Holtby Poor Caroline 18 Oh, Mums, I must show you my new blue three-piece.
1982 A. Barr & P. York Official Sloane Ranger Handbk. 42/1 There are a few basic lines that continue practically for ever, like..the basic City three-piece.
2. A three-piece suite.
ΘΚΠ
society > inhabiting and dwelling > inhabited place > a building > furniture and fittings > [noun] > set of furniture
widow's chamber1680
set1687
suite1773
dining set1816
chamber1845
garden suite1874
dinette1931
three-piece1966
1966 G. Burnett Dead Account iv. 27 The room looked more expensive..a grey/red three-piece that wouldn't show much change out of two hundred guineas.
1977 Times 24 Dec. 16/6 What suburban child is going to believe that..Santa would be allowed..to put his great sooty footmarks all over the Dralon three piece and the wall to wall?
Derivatives
three-piecer n. U.S. a three-piece suit.
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > set or suit of clothes > [noun] > comprising two or three pieces
two-piecec1880
three-piece1931
three-piecer1964
twofer1969
1964 N.Y. Post 9 Nov. 13 Orlon cardigan three-piecer a-glitter with trim.
1976 Billings (Montana) Gaz. 20 June 5- e (advt.) Our all polyester knit shirt is great for leisure suits, a three piecer, even tucked into a pair of casual pants.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1986; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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adj.n.1908