treblen.
/ˈtrɛb(ə)l/ I. Something consisting of three elements, and related uses.
1. Anything threefold; a sum or quantity three times as great as another; the product of a sum or magnitude multiplied by three.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > [noun] > three times as much
triplec1425
treblec1430
triplicity1646
1324–5 Rolls of Parl. I. 416/1 Que amounteront a treble & quatreble de lour coustages.]
c1430 Art Nombryng (1922) 17 Thow most trebille the digit, and that triplat is to be put vnder the 3[rd] next figure towarde the right honde, And the vnder-trebille vnder the trebille.
1463 Rolls of Parl. V. 502/2 Forfeiture..of the treble of his seid wages.
1475 Rolls of Parl. VI. 121/2 Uppon peyn of forfeiture of the treble of somoche as he so hath receyved or taken.
1799 Wilson in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 89 302 The equation of the halves, or quarters, or doubles, trebles, &c. of those functions.
2. In technical and elliptical uses.
a. A triple barrier; an obstacle consisting of three successive fences.
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society > armed hostility > defence > defensive work(s) > barricade > [noun] > other barriers
treble1569
firewall1578
herisson1704
boat work1782
tambour1834
gabionage1849
knife-rest1858
skerm1861
stockade tambour1892
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > equestrian sports except racing > [noun] > show-jumping > series or parts of fences
oxer1859
treble1895
ground-line1951
wing1953
1569 T. Stocker tr. Diodorus Siculus Hist. Successors Alexander iii. xi. 120/2 Hys Campe which he with a treble of wood and earth fortified.
1895 Daily News 1 May 7/5 The fences..On one side of the ring..are arranged in a ‘treble’, just far enough apart to give room between for a horse to pull himself together for each effort.
b. Paper-making and Printing. A frame on which hand-made paper or printed sheets are hung to dry.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > paper-making equipment > [noun] > frame for drying paper
treble1738
1738 E. Chambers Cycl. (ed. 2) at Paper Carried up into the loft, and hung six or seven sheets together upon lines fastened to a thing called a Tribble, each tribble containing thirty lines ten or twelve foot long.
1766 S. Clark Leadbetter's Royal Gauger (ed. 6) ii. xiv. 371 The Sheets of Paper, taken from between the Felts, are laid one upon the other till the next Day and then are hung up, on Lines called Trebles, in the Drying-House.
1896 Daily News 23 Mar. 8/4 If time be no object, the sheets are hung on ‘trebles’ (the towel-horse is the domestic equivalent) in an ordinary room.
c. A kind of step-dance; the measure of or music for this. dialect.
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society > leisure > dancing > types of dance or dancing > tap- or step-dancing > [noun]
treble1805
clog-dance1881
step-dancing1886
step-dance1887
sand-dancea1894
soft-shoe1900
sand-dancing1905
tap-dancing1928
tap-dance1929
tap1944
tapping1944
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > dance music > [noun] > others
galliard1545
passamezzo1568
pavane1591
passy-measure1597
rant1656
passacaglia1659
passacaille1667
chaconne1685
rigadoon1690
passepied1696
rigaudon1708
bourrée1776
minuet de la cour1783
quadrille1802
treble1805
pigeon wing1807
polka1825
redowa1843
polka time1844
écossaise1863
verbunkos1880
drag1901
foxtrot1915
burru1929
rumba1931
palais glide1936
Lambeth Walk1937
jitterbug1939
high life1942
Zydeco1949
hand jive1958
hand jiving1958
hokey-cokey1966
twist1966
chicken scratch1972
smoocher1976
funana1981
New Beat1988
trance dance1988
1805 G. McIndoe Poems & Songs 18 We'll sen' for fiddling Alic, and the piper he'll play treple.
1895 D. D. Dixon Whittingham Vale v. 67 A variety of step-dancing such as the ‘treble’, the single and double ‘shuffle’, the ‘cut’ [etc.].
d. Whist. A game (at short whist) in which one side scores five and the other none, counting three points to the winners.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > whist > [noun] > type of game
treble?1870
?1870 F. Hardy & J. R. Ware Mod. Hoyle 30 If one side scores five while the adversaries have made not one point, the winning side makes a treble.
1876 A. Campbell-Walker Correct Card Gloss. p. xiv Treble, scoring five before your adversary scores one.
e. plural. A quality or grade of small coal.
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society > occupation and work > materials > fuel > coal or types of coal > [noun] > small, refuse, impure, or coal-dust
slackc1440
smith coal1466
smithy coal1482
coal dusta1529
panwood1531
smith's coal1578
kirving1599
culm1603
coom1611
small coal1643
smit1670
smut1686
slag1695
duff1724
duff coal1724
small1780
gum1790
stinking coal1803
cobbles1811
nubbling1825
stinkers1841
rubble1844
pea1855
nuts1857
nut coal1861
slap1865
burgee1867
smudge1883
waste1883
treble1901
coal smut1910
gumming1938
nutty slack1953
1901 Scotsman 15 Oct. 4/8 There are four bush washers..one for trebles.
f. A method of crocheting in which three loops of thread are carried on the hook; also a line or chain of crochet work done by this method.
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the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile manufacture > manufacture textile fabric or that which consists of > manufacture of textile fabric > [noun] > crochet > method of
treble1872
the world > textiles and clothing > textiles > textile fabric or an article of textile fabric > textile fabric > textile fabric manufactured in specific way > [noun] > consisting of loops or looped stitches > crochet > stitch or stitches
tambour-stitchc1840
spot stitch1865
treble1872
foundation-chain1882
octagon-stitch1885
1872 Young Englishwoman Oct. 555/1 Crochet rosette..3rd row:..work 11 treble on each chain scallop.
1882 S. F. A. Caulfeild & B. C. Saward Dict. Needlework 127/2 at Crochet Treble Stitch, Raised.— Work three rows of Ribbed Stitch. Fourth row—work 2 Ribbed Stitches, and make a Treble for next, putting the hook into the stitch underneath it of the first row, work 2 Trebles in this way [etc.].
c1900 T. de Dillmont Encycl. Needlewk. 304 Trebles are little columns or bars made of loops or stitches... They are of different kinds; the half or short treble, the plain or ordinary treble [etc.].
g. Horse Racing. (a) A total of three races won by the same horse; (b) a bet on three horses to win the respective races in which they are entered (the usual sense).
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > [noun] > type of bet
swoopstake1599
by-beta1627
levant1714
even money1732
play or pay bet1738
side bet1769
long shot1796
sweep1849
pay-or-play1853
sweepstake1861
pari-mutuel1868
to go a raker1869
flutter1874
skinner1874
by-wager1886
plunge1888
accumulator1889
saver1891
mutuel1893
quinella1902
parlay1904
Sydney or the bush1924
treble1924
daily double1930
all-up1933
round robin1944
double1951
twin double1960
perfecta1961
pool1963
lose bet1964
tiercé1964
Yankee bet1964
Yankee1967
nap1971
superfecta1971
tricast1972
triple1972
trixie1973
telebetting1974
trifecta1974
over-and-under1975
over-under1981
spread bet1981
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > racing or race > horse racing > [noun] > winning three races
triple crown1897
treble1924
1924 C. Hawtrey Truth at Last xix. 226 Many [sc. starting-price bookmakers] have further altered that rule, now limiting the odds to 50 to 1 for the double event, and 100 to 1 for treble.
1931 Daily Express 21 Sept. 15/4 Peacock wound up a fine week in Scotland, where Nevett landed a treble for him on Saturday.
1951 E. Rickman Come Racing with Me xviii. 182 Doubles, trebles and accumulators are popular among those backers who are particularly attracted by the possibility of winning a substantial sum for a small outlay.
1964 A. Wykes Gambling viii. 194 (caption) The bettor has staked a total of 27s. 6d. on his four chosen horses with 11 separate bets of 2s. 6d.—the bets consisting of six ‘doubles’, four ‘trebles’, and an ‘accumulator’ bet.
1981 P. Inchbald Tondo for Short vi. 70 Cigars, liqueurs, brandy—has he won a big treble or something?
h. Darts. A throw into the narrow space between the two middle circles on a dartboard, worth three times the single score for the sector in which the dart lands; the space itself.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > darts > [noun] > type of throw
double1935
treble1936
1936 R. Croft-Cooke Darts vi. 36 Double Top, 40, of course, i.e. double 20. Many players..start on the double 20, score on the treble, and leave themselves the double on which to get out.
1981 R. Lewis Seek for Justice ii. 53 The first dart flicked into the treble twenty. It was followed by a second... The microphone boomed:..‘Can he nail a third treble?.. He's done it’.
i. Association Football. The winning of three national or international competitions by one football club during a season.
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society > leisure > sport > match or competition > [noun] > set or series, considered as an achievement
triple crown1897
slam1934
grand slam1948
treble1959
1959 Listener 19 Feb. 331/1 The treble of League, Cup, and European Cup seemed to be at least a possibility.
1977 News of World 17 Apr. 21/2 That would make me unique, the only player who has done the double and treble.
j. A drink of spirits of three times the standard measure.
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the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > [noun] > specific quantity of
dramc1590
leaguer1712
finger1820
glassful1841
four1869
nip1869
half1888
two1894
snifter1910
treble1968
balloon1973
triple1981
peg2003
1968 J. F. Straker SIN & Johnny Inch 131 Sinclair poured yet another whisky. Like the others, it came well up the glass. A good treble, Johnny reckoned.
1979 M. Babson So soon done For ii. 12 Crispin poured drinks for himself and Kay. Jeremy, he noted, had given himself a treble.
3. One of three things or persons that are exact counterparts. nonce-use after double n. 2b.
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the world > relative properties > relationship > identity > [noun] > the same thing or person > an identical thing > duplicate or triplicate
doublet1553
duplicate1701
triplicate1782
treble1898
1898 Westm. Gaz. 29 June 1/2 There are many ‘doubles’ in the House of Commons. There seem..to be in that assembly at least two groups of trebles.
II. Musical senses.figurative.1532 T. More Confut. Tyndales Answere ii. p. xcv His false translacyon wyth theyr farther false construccion, they thought sholde be the basse and the tenour wheruppon they wold synge the trouble wyth mych false descant.1577 B. Googe tr. C. Heresbach Foure Bks. Husbandry iii. f. 111 The grasyers trade the Treble, and the tyllers occupation the Base.1656 A. Cowley Davideis i. 13 in Poems Water and Air he for the Tenor chose, Earth made the Base, the Treble Flame arose.1892 Daily News 16 Sept. 3/3 The dark tone of the ground..acts as bass to the treble of the silk.† 7.
4. Music. The highest part in harmonized musical composition; the soprano part. Cf. treble adj. 2 [The musical use is supposed to have arisen from the fact that in early contrapuntal music the chief melody or cantus firmus was given to the tenor (tenor n.1 4a), the voice parts added above being the discantus or alto, and the treble (? third part) or soprano; but the history is somewhat obscure, especially as triplex, triplus meant ‘threefold’ and not ‘third’, and in Old French treble was applied to a trio.]
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > [noun] > part in harmony or counterpoint > upper parts
treblec1330
quiniblec1390
quatreblea1450
triple1600
triplum1626
superius1653
firsta1774
quintus1883
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > types of song > [noun] > part-song > a part in > soprano
treblec1330
descant1563
soprano1786
c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. Wace (Rolls) 11263 Þo clerkes þat best couþe synge, Wyþ treble, mene, & burdoun.
c1430 J. Lydgate Minor Poems (Percy Soc.) 54 Thi [nasal] organys so hihe begynne to syng ther messe, With treble meene and tenor discordyng as I gesse.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 245 All to small To sic ane tribbill to hald ane bace.
1567 Triall of Treasure sig. Biv I will sing the trouble with all my harte.
1626 F. Bacon Sylua Syluarum §109 In one of the lower Strings of a Lute, there soundeth not the Sound of the Treble,..but only the Sound of the Base.
1782 C. Burney Gen. Hist. Music II. 456 Triplum [was] the highest, or Treble; of which term, this was the origin.
1884 H. C. Deacon in Grove Dict. Music IV. 165 Treble..has been said to be a corruption of Triplum, a third part superadded to the Altus and Bassus.
5.
a. A treble voice; also, a singer having a treble voice; one who sings the treble part.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > singing voice > [noun] > soprano or treble
treble?c1475
soprano1730
society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > singer > singer by type of voice > [noun] > treble
treble?c1475
tribler1539
?c1475 Sqr. lowe Degre 782 Than shall ye go to your even~song, With tenours and trebles among.
a1678 A. Marvell Music's Empire in Misc. Poems (1681) 48 And Virgin Trebles wed the manly Base.
1719 T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth I. 71 The ravishing Trebles delight ev'ry Ear.
1801 J. Strutt Glig-gamena Angel-ðeod iv. i. 254 Two celebrated trebles;..who occasionally made twenty shillings a day by ballad-singing.
b. transferred. A high-pitched or shrill voice, sound, or note.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > pitch > [noun] > high pitch > high sound or note
sharp1612
treblea1616
high C1837
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > singing voice > [noun] > high-pitched voice
treblea1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) ii. vii. 162 His bigge manly voice, Turning againe toward childish trebble pipes, And whistles in his sound. View more context for this quotation
1646 H. More Cupids Conflict 2 in Democritus Platonissans How well agreed the Brooks low muttering Base, With the birds trebbles.
1827 B. Disraeli Vivian Grey IV. vi. iii. 86 ‘So please your Serene Highness, I am here!’ answered a very thin treble.
1855 Ld. Tennyson Brook in Maud & Other Poems 103 I chatter over stony ways, In little sharps and trebles.
6. The string of treble pitch in a musical instrument; also, the chanter of a bagpipe.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > stringed instruments > lute- or viol-type parts > [noun] > specific strings
minikin1541
bass1560
treble1560
mean1654
G string1831
cantino1876
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > wind instrument > pipe > [noun] > bagpipe > chanter
chanter1615
treble1682
muse1782
stick1861
1560 J. Heywood Fourth Hundred Epygrams xlvi. sig. Biiv Which string..wolost thou..harpe on. Not the base.., Nor the treble.
1623 W. Lisle in tr. Ælfric Saxon Treat. Old & New Test. Ded. xxxviii What sports they now deuise With Treble and Drone, and Bonfiers, and Bels.
1682 J. Dryden Mac Flecknoe 5 At thy well sharpned Thumb,..The Treble squeaks for fear, the Bases Rore.
a. A musical instrument of treble pitch, as a violin. Obsolete.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > [noun] > high-pitched instrument
triplea1556
treble1634
sopranino1964
1634 MS. Archd. Oxon. c.74 f. 230 He plaied uppon a trebble in the house of Francis Iennings uppon a Sondaie.
1670 J. Eachard Grounds Contempt of Clergy 62 People..presently fancied the Moon, Mercury, and Venus to be a kind of Violins or Trebles to Jupiter and Saturn.
1710 in E. W. Dunbar Soc. Life in Moray (1865) 15 I can play on the Treble and Gambo, Viol, &c.
b. = treble bell at treble adj. 2b.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > bell > [noun] > set of bells > specific one of
fore-bell1484
tenor bell1522
treble bell1530
tenor1541
treble1598
bourdon1927
1598–9 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 147 ij newe gudgins for ye Treble and nailes, 3s. 6d.
a1639 T. Dekker et al. Witch of Edmonton (1658) ii. i. 14 Double Bells?.. Trebles: buy me Trebles, all Trebles: for our purpose is to be in the Altitudes.
1652–3 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 227 The Sexton shall ring the Treable at 5 a Clocke in the Morning.
Compounds
treble bob n. bob n.5
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1872 H. T. Ellacombe Bells of Church iii. 43 Perhaps the most remarkable is one of 12,000 Treble bob royal which was rung in 1784.
treble-ringer n. the ringer of the treble bell in a peal.
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society > leisure > the arts > music > musician > instrumentalist > bell-ringer > [noun]
ringerc1425
bell-ringer1543
toller1550
knoller1611
stretch-rope1634
college youth1668
change ringer1756
handbell ringera1802
tintinnabulary1825
tintinnabulist1830
treble-ringer1899
1899 Westm. Gaz. 31 Oct. 10/1 For sixty-seven years..Bunce was the treble ringer.
Draft additions 1993
Angling. = treble hook n. at treble adj. and adv. Compounds 1d.
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the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > hook > [noun] > hooks fastened together
snap-hook1688
snapper1688
springer1688
jigger1815
snap1839
dree-draw1850
stroke-haul1850
triangle1867
gang1879
black doctor1883
murderer1883
trap-hook1883
treble hook1895
treble1897
1897 Earl of Suffolk et al. Encycl. Sport I. 20 (caption) Treble (eyed and shank).
1929 Hardy's Anglers' Guide (ed. 51) 166 Particular attention is directed to the special shape of these trebles, which, instead of being of the usual round bend, are almost square at the back end, the hooks resting on each other in almost a straight line.
1960 Times 3 Dec. 9/4 Small trebles, slightly larger than salmon tube fly size, can be set easily.
1988 Sea Fishing June 15/2 The treble's three points may be in contact, but even though the line is already tight and the rod bends impressively, mackerel or bass will come off if a heavy strike is not made to pull them home.
Draft additions 1997
The high-frequency component of (esp. transmitted or reproduced) sound. Frequently attributive. Cf. bass adj. and n.5 Additions.
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the world > matter > physics > science of sound > vibration > [noun] > high frequency
highs1845
treble1930
top1940
the world > matter > physics > science of sound > vibration > [adjective] > in high range
treble1930
1930 Wireless World 26 Mar. 333/1 The tone control which emphasises either treble or bass consists of a variable capacity between the input and output of the power valves.
1936 Wireless World 28 Feb. 214 Bass and treble controls.
1961 Melody Maker 9 Sept. (Suppl.) p. iii/3 Tone variation by fully independent bass and treble controls.
1977 West Briton 25 Aug. 10/6 This one suffers from..a loss of treble on some tracks.
1994 Guitarist Sept. 169/2 (advt.) The 2-band EQ outboard preamp gives added bass and treble to any bass guitar.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online September 2019).
trebleadj.adv.
/ˈtrɛb(ə)l/ A. adj.
1.
a. Consisting of three members, things, or sets combined; threefold; made of three thicknesses or layers of material; = triple adj. 1.
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the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > condition of being threefold > [adjective]
thrilec725
threefoldc1000
treblec1374
trinec1386
thrinfalda1400
tripartitec1420
triparted1429
ternaryc1430
trinary1474
triplicate?a1475
trivial?a1475
triplage1526
threefolded1528
triple1552
treblefold1561
trifold1578
trinal1590
tripart1592
ternal1599
triplexa1616
tergeminous1656
ternarious1656
triplasian1678
triplet1697
ternarian1732
triangular1812
Trinitarian1812
triplasic1864
three-body1936
triplexed1974
c1374 G. Chaucer tr. Boethius De Consol. Philos. (Cambr.) iv. metr. vii. 115 He drowh cerberus the hownd of helle by his treble cheyne.
1413 Pilgr. Sowle (1859) i. xxv. 30 Byndyng with double and treble boundes.
a1673 J. Caryl in C. H. Spurgeon Treasury of David (1886) VII. Ps. cxl. 3 Serpents are..said to have a treble tongue, because, moving their tongue so fast, they seem to have three tongues.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Æneis x, in tr. Virgil Wks. 531 Thro' treble Plates it went Of solid Brass.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xviii. 107 A treble inclosure of brick walls was defended by a deep ditch.
1832 R. Lander & J. Lander Jrnl. Exped. Niger II. xii. 183 They had formed themselves into a large treble circle.
1907 C. Hill-Tout Brit. N. Amer., Far West vii. 130 A kind of shirt of double or treble elk-hide.
b. Of actions, conditions, etc.: Of threefold character or application; existing or occurring in three ways or relations; of three kinds.
ΚΠ
1390 J. Gower Confessio Amantis III. 159 Thus thei worchen treble sinne, That ben flatours aboute a king.
c1450 Mirour Saluacioun 1529 The feend thoght crist to tempt be treble vice.
1571 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Psalmes of Dauid with Comm. (lx. 6) The greate men were dubble and trebble traytours.
1694 F. Bragge Pract. Disc. Parables vii. 238 It would be a double and treble charity; 'twould provide for the happiness of both body and soul.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor xi, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 289 It was attended with a treble difficulty.
1886 F. Harrison Choice Bks. 49 Every part and episode has its double and treble meaning.
c.
(a) Three times as much or as many; of three times the number or amount; triple.
ΚΠ
1423 Rolls of Parl. IV. 257/2 Uppon peine de inprisonement..and trible dammages to the partie greved.
1489 (a1380) J. Barbour Bruce (Adv.) xviii. 30 Schir Eduuard..said that he suld fecht that day, Thoucht tribill and quatribill [1487 St. John's Cambr. Tryplit or quadruplit] war thai.
1563 W. Cothe in 15th Rep. Royal Comm. Hist. MSS (1899) App. ii. 32 It is not treble the company we have here, that is able to defend it.
1664 M. Fell in Extracts State Papers (Friends' Hist. Soc.) (1911) 2nd Ser. 187 People had theire goods distreaned trible the vallue of their fines.
1788 T. Jefferson Writings (1859) II. 526 It sells..for treble the price of common whale oil.
1835 A. Ure Philos. Manuf. 156 The roller A, moving with a treble surface velocity.
(b) spec. of a drink of spirits: constituting three times the standard measure.
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the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > distilled drink > [adjective] > specific quantity
chota1915
treble1964
1964 L. Deighton Funeral in Berlin xxiii. 126 He..ordered three treble brandies.
1977 ‘J. D. White’ Salzburg Affair xvi. 137 Hendryks..raised an urgent hand for the waiter. ‘A treble scotch.’
2. † d. ? Upper. Obsolete. rare.
a. Music. Of, pertaining to, or suited to the highest part in harmonized musical composition. treble voice: a voice ranging from about middle C to a twelfth or two octaves above it; a soprano voice. treble clef: the G clef when placed (as usually) upon the second line of the stave.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > harmony or sounds in combination > [adjective] > parts in harmony or counterpoint > highest part
treblec1440
society > leisure > the arts > music > type of music > vocal music > types of song > [adjective] > specific part
treblec1440
contralto1771
alto1845
baritone1861
society > leisure > the arts > music > written or printed music > notation > [noun] > clefs
clef1579
B clef1597
G1597
G clef1725
soprano clef1786
treble clef1786
tenor clef1806
violin clef1876
alto clef1879
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 501/1 Treblesonge (K. treble of orgene songe, S. trebyl songe), precentus.
c1440 Promptorium Parvulorum 501/1 Trebyl syngare.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 286/1 Wayte treble, bussine.
1664 J. Playford Brief Introd. Skill Musick (ed. 4) i. 64 Increasing of the Voyce in the Treble Part..doth oftentimes become harsh.
1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Treble, the highest part in Musick, called in Latin Altus.
1786 T. Busby Compl. Dict. Music Introd. p. xviii The Treble-cliff is used for the first or shrillest class, both of voice and instruments.
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms (1898) (at cited word) The treble or soprano voice is the most flexible of all vocal registers.
b. Hence in the names of musical instruments (or strings) of the highest pitch. Cf. bass adj., tenor adj. treble bell: the smallest bell of a peal.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > bell > [noun] > set of bells > specific one of
fore-bell1484
tenor bell1522
treble bell1530
tenor1541
treble1598
bourdon1927
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 282/2 Treble stryng of an instrument, chanterelle.
1595–6 in H. J. F. Swayne Churchwardens' Accts. Sarum (1896) 145 A Rope for ye Treabell bell, 2s. 5d.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 2 iii. ii. 316 The case of a treble hoboy was a mansion for him. View more context for this quotation
1658 J. Playford Breif Introd. Skill Musick (new ed.) 78 The Treble-Violin is a cheerful and sprightly Instrument.
1872 H. T. Ellacombe Church Bells Devon 235 In 1718, two treble bells were added to the peal of S. Bride's.
c. High-pitched; high or sharp in tone; shrill.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adjective] > shrill or forced
shrillc1386
shirl1418
straineda1542
treble1550
efforced1590
shrilly1594
minikin1602
stridulous1646
feigned1664
extended1699
pipy1769
falsetto1826
screechy1834
stridulent1874
roofy1897
taut1916
1550 J. Heywood Hundred Epigrammes liv. sig. Bviiiv In hir treble voyce, she fel so to cacklyng.
1602 J. Marston Hist. Antonio & Mellida iii. sig. E3v What trebble minikin squeaks there?
1727 J. Gay Fables I. xlvi. 157 A village cur,..Imagin'd that his treble throat Was blest with musick's sweetest note.
1860 ‘G. Eliot’ Mill on Floss II. iii. vi. 87 Bob spoke with a sharp and rather treble volubility.
ΚΠ
1551 Gray's New Year's Gift iii, in F. J. Furnivall Ballads from MSS I. 418 Yet at this presence—ye shall vnderstand—The papest be Ranke, and on the treble hand: Som comfford thé have; I cannott tell howe.
B. adv.
1. In three ranks or rows, threefold; to three times the extent; three times over; trebly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > [adverb]
treble13..
thricea1400
threefoldc1400
treblefold1532
triplefold1570
triplewise1594
triple1606
13.. K. Alis. 6696 In hire mouth buth teth treble set.
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Treble, tripliciter.
1563 A. Neville in B. Googe Eglogs Epytaphes & Sonettes sig. F.viiv All these conclude him blest..And trible blest agayne.
a1640 J. Fletcher et al. Beggers Bush v. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Mm3/2 And I'le deserve it treble.
1675 A. Wood Life & Times (1892) II. 322 Peirs was double or treble paid by Dr. Fell.
1708 Constitutions Company Watermen & Lightermen lvii Every person offending therein, shall forfeit..treble as much as he or they respectively shall demand.
2. In a high-pitched tone; shrilly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > quality of voice > [adverb] > shrill
shirla1300
shrilla1400
shirlly1470
shrilly1582
treble1811
1811 [see treble-skirling adj. at Compounds 2a(c)].
Compounds
C1. The adjective in combination.
a. with nouns.
Categories »
treble-coursing n. the division of an air current in a mine into three courses or channels.
treble-seam n. Cricket slang a leather cricket-ball stitched with three seams.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > ball game > cricket > equipment > [noun] > ball > types of
treble-seam1897
new ball1908
1897 Globe 9 July 1/5 The old bowler..declared there was a lot of human nature in a treble-seam.
treble-tree n. an arrangement of swingle-trees for three horses abreast.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > cart, carriage, or wagon > parts of cart or carriage > [noun] > swingle-tree > arrangement for second or third horse
outrigger1807
treble-tree1877
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Treble-tree, a whiffletree for three horses. An equalizer.
b. Parasynthetic combinations forming adjectives.
(a)
treble-barrelled adj.
treble-breathed adj.
treble-caped adj.
ΚΠ
1784 New Spectator No. i. 4 The ladies have assumed the treble-caped great coat and belt.
treble-headed adj.
ΚΠ
1805 Med. & Physical Jrnl. 14 92 How our treble-headed Pithon is to be augmented and increased.
1876 ‘G. Eliot’ Daniel Deronda III. v. xxxvi. 63 Gnawed by a double, a treble-headed grief.
treble-mailed adj.
ΚΠ
1611 R. Cotgrave Dict. French & Eng. Tongues Tremaillé, treble-mailed.
treble-piled adj.
ΚΠ
1821 W. Scott Kenilworth II. xii. 298 Velvet, single, double, treble-piled.
treble-rampired adj.
ΚΠ
a1657 G. Daniel Trinarchodia: Henry IV cxvii, in Poems (1878) IV. 30 As the wings of long-lost Day Breakes treble-Rampierd Clouds.
treble-seated adj.
ΚΠ
1808 J. Bentham Sc. Reform 36 The permanent substitution of treble-seated..to single-seated judicature.
treble-sinewed adj.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Antony & Cleopatra (1623) iii. xiii. 180 I will be trebble-sinewed, hearted, breath'd. View more context for this quotation
(b)
treble-voiced adj. having a treble or soprano voice.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > singing voice > [adjective] > relating to soprano > having soprano voice
treble-voiced1552
soprano1730
1552 R. Huloet Abcedarium Anglico Latinum Treble voyced, or shyll tuned, acutus, a, um.
c. With nouns, forming adjectives or attributive phrases.
(a)
treble-cylinder adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > machine > machines which impart power > engine > steam engine > [adjective] > specific types
atmospheric1822
single-acting1825
wind-logged1829
non-condensing1839
double-acting1842
treble-cylinder1877
quadruplex1880
uniflow1912
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Treble-cylinder Steam~engine, an engine having a pair of large cylinders for the continuation of the expansion, one at each side of the small cylinder.
treble-shovel adj.
ΚΠ
1877 E. H. Knight Pract. Dict. Mech. Treble-Shovel Plow, one having three shares. A form of cultivator.
(b)
treble-bite adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [adjective] > system of breech-action
treble-wedge-fast1881
treble-bite1892
under-lever1892
1892 W. W. Greener Breech-loader 22 With an efficient holding-down bolt, engaging with it as in the treble-bite breech-action.
treble-wedge-fast adj. systems of breech-action in hand guns.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > military equipment > weapon > device for discharging missiles > firearm > parts and fittings of firearms > [adjective] > system of breech-action
treble-wedge-fast1881
treble-bite1892
under-lever1892
1881 W. W. Greener Gun & its Devel. 174 Our patent treble-wedge-fast action, with either hammerless or back-action locks and low hammers.
d. Special collocations.† treble letter n. Obsolete a letter consisting of three sheets formerly charged triple postage.† treble time n. Obsolete triple time.
treble agent n. a spy who works for three countries, his superiors in each being informed of his service to the other, but usually with actual allegiance only to one.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > [noun] > a secret observer, spy > secret agent > serving more than one master
double agent1935
treble agent1967
triple agent1968
1967 Punch 11 Oct. 542/1 A list of our treble agents in Bulgaria.
1978 ‘W. Wingate’ Bloodbath i. 12 He wants out. Reckons he's earned it as a double, or treble, agent.
treble bar n. collectors' names for various moths: see quots.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types > miscellaneous types
high-flyer?1749
nonpareil1749
porphyry1819
satin carpet1819
satin pygmy1828
scopolian1829
chalk carpet1832
sieve lackey1832
sprawler1832
tissue1832
treble bar1832
treble gold stripe1832
vesper-beauty1832
viburnian1832
yellowhead1832
flame carpet1862
sting-moth1863
lilac moth1868
luna-moth1869
melon-caterpillar1884
wood-nymph1885
unicorn-moth1891
geometer moth1897
the suspected1908
porina1929
tomato pinworm1931
mopane worm1966
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 201 The Tawny Treble Bar (Argyromiges trifasciella, Curtis)..Wings.. with three somewhat straight, equidistant, brown bands.
treble block n. (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Treble-block, one fitted with three sheaves or rollers.
treble chance n. a form of football pool in which various points are awarded for a draw, an away win, and a home win.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > betting > football pools > [noun] > form or system
permutation1951
treble chance1951
perm1955
1951 ‘M. Innes’ Operation Pax ii. iv. 64 ‘Heard what was last week's treble chance?’ he asked. ‘Ninety-eight thousand.’
1972 M. Jones Life on Dole ii. i. 102 Luck..seems as evasive as the treble-chance.
treble figures n. a sum or total of one hundred (pounds) or more, but less than one thousand.
ΚΠ
1931 Times Lit. Suppl. 20 Aug. 636/3 Sixteen items were priced in treble figures.
treble gold stripe n. see treble bar n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > phylum Arthropoda > class Insecta > Heterocera > [noun] > unspecified and miscellaneous types > miscellaneous types
high-flyer?1749
nonpareil1749
porphyry1819
satin carpet1819
satin pygmy1828
scopolian1829
chalk carpet1832
sieve lackey1832
sprawler1832
tissue1832
treble bar1832
treble gold stripe1832
vesper-beauty1832
viburnian1832
yellowhead1832
flame carpet1862
sting-moth1863
lilac moth1868
luna-moth1869
melon-caterpillar1884
wood-nymph1885
unicorn-moth1891
geometer moth1897
the suspected1908
porina1929
tomato pinworm1931
mopane worm1966
1832 J. Rennie Conspectus Butterflies & Moths Brit. 201 The Treble Gold Stripe (Argyromiges tristigella, Stephens). Wings..tawny-brown, with a straight silvery-golden band before, and a second in the middle.
treble grip n. a series of three grips or hooked teeth which secure the barrel of a gun to the breech when closed.
ΚΠ
1880 Encycl. Brit. XI. 281/2 The treble grip snap action is shown as specially devised for rifles firing heavy charges.
treble hook n. a fish-hook consisting of three single hooks fastened back to back.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > hunting > fishing > fishing-tackle > hook > [noun] > hooks fastened together
snap-hook1688
snapper1688
springer1688
jigger1815
snap1839
dree-draw1850
stroke-haul1850
triangle1867
gang1879
black doctor1883
murderer1883
trap-hook1883
treble hook1895
treble1897
1895 Outing 27 222/2 Attached to each line were a sinker and a treble hook, i.e., three hooks soldered together at such angles that when a fish has once gorged the thing, disgorgement is almost an impossibility.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > correspondence > letter > [noun] > other types of letter
billet-doux1673
poulet1691
treble letter1753
round robin1755
screed1834
tickler1846
application letter1850
test letter1869
letter of envoy1873
hastener1922
fan letter1932
aerogram1933
yum-yum1943
newsletter1961
overnights1975
1753 Scots Mag. July 328/2 The rates of double letters, are always double; of treble letters, treble.
1805 Act 45 Geo. III c. 11 §1 For every single letter one penny; for every double letter twopence; for every treble letter or other letter under an ounce in weight three-pence.
treble lines n. (see quot. 1927).
ΚΠ
1927 World's Paper Trade Rev. 24 June Treble Lines.—The ropes made of cow hair on which hand-made paper is still dried.
treble lock n. a lock operating by three turns of the key.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > equipment > building and constructing equipment > fastenings > [noun] > lock > other types of lock
inlock1488
treble lock1680
French lock1787
ringlock1789
thumb-lock1801
bar-lock1828
permutation lock1835
check-lock1850
pin lock1851
time lock1858
garret-lock1860
dead lock1866
seal-lock1871
dead-latch1874
Bramah-lock1875
cylinder lock1878
police lock1910
ziplock1956
solenoid lock1976
D-lock1990
1680 R. Baxter Moral Prognostication ii. xxi. 50 There shall be a Treble-Lock upon the Door of the Ministry.
treble star n. three stars so near (really or visually) as not to be separately visible without a telescope.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the universe > star > kind of star > by position > [noun] > treble star
treble star1782
triple star1831
triple1890
1782 W. Herschel in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 72 100 The beautiful treble star in Monoceros's right fore-foot.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > duration of notes > proportion of notes or rhythm > [noun] > specific rhythms
triplac1550
semibreve time1591
common measure1597
common time1597
nonupla1597
triple1597
binary measure1609
triple time1654
treble time1686
ternary measure or time1728
alla breve1731
ribattuta1740
four-four time1826
compound time1848
dotted rhythm1872
six-eight tempo1873
six-four1873
six-eight time1884
six-four time1884
six-two time1884
twelve-eight1884
slow drag1901
two-rhythm1901
three-four1902
sprung rhythm1944
songo1978
one-drop1979
1686 R. Plot Nat. Hist. Staffs. ix. 371 Seven bells rung together in peal... Their number excludes them, from ever being brought, either into common or treble-time.
treble X n. a brand or strength of beer. See also in sense A. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > beer > [noun] > other kinds of beer
spruce beerc1500
March beer1535
Lubecks beer1608
zythum1608
household beer1616
bottle1622
mumc1623
old beer1626
six1631
four1633
maize beer1663
mum beer1667
vinegar beer1677
wrest-beer1689
nog1693
October1705
October beer1707
ship-beer1707
butt beer1730
starting beer1735
butt1743
peterman1767
seamen's beer1795
chang1800
treacle beer1806
stock beer1826
Iceland beer1828
East India pale ale1835
India pale ale1837
faro1847
she-oak1848
Bass1849
bitter beer1850
bock1856
treble X1856
Burton1861
nettle beer1864
honey beer1867
pivo1873
Lambic1889
steam beer1898
barley-beer1901
gueuze1926
Kriek1936
best1938
rough1946
keg1949
IPA1953
busaa1967
mbege1972
microbrew1985
microbeer1986
yeast-beer-
1856 ‘G. Eliot’ in Westm. Rev. Jan. 5 German ennui must be something as superlative as Barclay's treble X.
1858 C. M. Yonge Christmas Mummers vii. 95 They began to sing at the next house as loud as if they thought they should get..more than three times treble XXX ale!
1880 E. W. Hamilton Diary 7 Dec. (1972) I. 85 The Irish ‘soup’ (as Mr. Gladstone terms it) is ‘thickening’ and becoming what the brewers would call ‘Treble X’.
C2. The adverb in combination.
a. with participles, forming adjectives.
(a)
treble-brandished adj.
ΚΠ
1876 Ld. Tennyson Harold i. i. 1 Yon grimly-glaring, treble-brandish'd scourge.
treble-damned adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > aspects of faith > spirituality > reprobation > [adjective] > affected by > three times
treble-damned1824
1824 S. T. Coleridge Let. to J. Gillman in Lett. (1895) 730 If he be not a treble-damned liar.
treble-refined adj.
ΚΠ
1694 W. Salmon Pharmacopœia Bateana i. xvi. 781/1 With its equal weight of trebble refined Sugar.
treble-ribbed adj.
ΚΠ
1896 Daily News 14 Nov. 6/6 Besides deed-boxes, there were other receptacles..some treble-ribbed with iron or copper.
treble-riveted adj.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > industry > working with tools or equipment > fastening > [adjective] > with rivet > three times
treble-riveted1662
1662 B. Gerbier Brief Disc. Princ. Building 18 Casements treble riveted, to keep out Wind and Rain.
1874 S. J. P. Thearle Naval Archit. (new ed.) I. 131 For treble-riveted butt straps, nineteen diameters in breadth are required by Lloyd's.
treble-twisted adj.
ΚΠ
1867 S. W. Baker Nile Tributaries (1872) ii. 32 A powerful hook, fitted upon treble-twisted wire.
(b)
treble-dated adj. living three times as long (as man).
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > source or principle of life > age > longevity > [adjective]
long-livinga1382
long-liveda1400
longeval1598
treble-dated1601
longevous1652
vivacious1655
longeve1678
macrobian1694
1601 W. Shakespeare Phoenix & Turtle in R. Chester Loves Martyr 170 Thou treble dated Crow,..Mongst our mourners shalt thou go.
(c) (In sense B. 2.)
treble-skirling adj.
ΚΠ
1811 W. Tennant Anster Concert xiii High o'er the tenor sounded shrill The treble-skirling women.
b. with verbs.
treble-man n.
ΚΠ
1805 Z. M. Pike Acct. Exped. Sources Mississippi (1810) 51 We were obliged to take on but one sled at a time and treble man it.
treble-shot n.
ΚΠ
1884 ‘H. Collingwood’ Under Meteor Flag 74 Request Mr. Flinn to treble-shot his larboard broadside.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
treblev.
/ˈtrɛb(ə)l/ 1. transitive.
a. To make three times as many or as great; to increase threefold; to multiply by three.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (transitive)] > increase by specific proportion
doublec1290
treblea1325
triplea1400
redouble1477
quadruple1487
sextuple1632
quintuple1639
quinquiplicate1656
quintuplicate1676
fivefold1858
tenfold1858
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > multiply by three [verb (transitive)]
treblea1325
triplea1400
triplicate1623
triplicitate1657
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) xiii. 68 Ȝif þe contreie..ne ansuuerez noȝt..þe peine sal ben itrebbled.
c1430 Art Nombryng (1922) 17 Thow most trebille the digit.
1600 W. Shakespeare Merchant of Venice iii. ii. 298 Double sixe thousand and then treble that. View more context for this quotation
1666 W. Sancroft Lex Ignea 28 His Insolence doubles and trebles the Vexation.
1720 London Gaz. No. 5833/2 Which trebles the Duty..payable by the Exporter.
1885 H. Dunckley in Manch. Examiner 20 July 6/1 During the present century the population has just about trebled itself.
b. To fold in three thicknesses; to make in three layers.
ΚΠ
1598 R. Hakluyt tr. Vincent of Beauvais in Princ. Navigations (new ed.) I. 62 Caparisons for their horses made of leather artificially doubled or trebled vpon their bodies.
1638 T. Herbert Some Yeares Trav. (rev. ed.) 316 A Cambolin of pure lawn..trebled on and about their naked shoulders.
c. To be three times as many or as much as.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > multiply by three [verb (transitive)] > amount to three times as much as
triple1589
treble1615
1615 G. Sandys Relation of Journey 115 Madein, A coyne of siluer that trebles the Asper for value.
1843 G. Borrow Bible in Spain II. xvi. 359 A body of the Carlists,..whose numbers more than trebled his own.
2. intransitive (for reflexive). To grow to three times the number, amount, or size; to become threefold.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [verb (intransitive)] > in specific proportion
doublec1320
redouble?1473
treblea1625
quadruple1776
quintuple1792
triple1799
octuple1837
sextuple1856
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > increase threefold [verb (intransitive)]
treblea1625
triple1799
a1625 J. Fletcher Noble Gentleman ii. i, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Dd4/1 Now I see your Fathers honours Trebling upon you.
1797–8 Duke of Wellington in Marquess Wellesley Select. Despatches (1877) 777 It has more than trebled since the peace of '83.
1815 L. Simond Jrnl. Tour Great Brit. I. 170 The rent of land has trebled in the last fifty years.
1882 C. Pebody Eng. Journalism xix. 145 Mr. Levy reduced the price of the paper... The circulation doubled, trebled, quadrupled.
a. intransitive. To emit a high-pitched or shrill sound; also, to sing the treble part to (const. upon) the lower parts or plain-song in a harmonized composition (in quots. figurative). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > unpleasant quality > shrill quality > sound shrill [verb (intransitive)] > make shrill sound
yellOE
pipec1275
treblec1425
shrillc1440
squail1526
squeal1600
skirl1827
blat1846
whine1874
whit1899
zing1899
whee1960
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (transitive)] > sing specific part
bearc1405
second1595
treble1606
organizea1699
undertone1873
c1425 Cast. Persev. 1900 in Macro Plays 134 I here trumpys trebelen al of tene.
a1591 H. Smith Wks. (1866) I. 458 A nightingale..when she is in a pleasant vein, quavers and capers, and trebles upon it.
1606 S. Gardiner Bk. Angling 103 The singster of Israel hath..giuen vs the Notes wee must alwayes treble vppon.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > manner of speaking > say in a particular manner [verb (transitive)] > in shrill voice
pipe1567
shrill1595
treble?1624
screech1639
?1624 G. Chapman tr. Hymn to Hermes in tr. Crowne Homers Wks. 74 He outrageouslie (When I accus'd him) trebled his replie.
Derivatives
ˈtrebled adj. made treble, threefold.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > increase in quantity, amount, or degree > [adjective] > increased by specific proportion
reboundeda1398
trebled?c1400
redoubled1540
doubled?a1560
tripled1583
quadrupled1607
sextupled1853
the world > relative properties > number > specific numbers > three > multiplication by three > [adjective]
thrina1012
threefoldc1175
trebled?c1400
triplatec1430
triplicate?a1475
triplated1486
triple1549
tripled1583
thrice1602
triplicated1635
?c1400 J. Lydgate Æsop's Fab. i. 23 With trebled [v.r. treble] laudis yeve to the trynité.
1653 R. Saunders Treat. Moles Body Man & Woman 38 in Physiognomie Divide the trebled number into two.
a1711 T. Ken Preparatives for Death in Wks. (1721) IV. 43 While I by trebled Zeal and Tears Strive to retrieve my careless Years.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1914; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.c1330adj.adv.13..v.a1325- brachial
- brachial artery
- brachial ganglion
- brachial muscle
- brachial tooth
- brachial vein
- brachialer
- brachialest
- brachialler
- brachiallest
- brachials
- brachiate
- brachiated
- brachiater
- brachiates
- brachiatest
- brachiating
- brachiation
- brachiations
- brachiator
- brachiators
- brachiferous
- brachigerous
- brachio-cephalic
- brachiocephalic