Tri"ple (?), a. [L. triplus; tri- (see Tri-) + -plus, as in duplus double: cf. F. triple. See Double, and cf. Treble.]
1.
Consisting of three united; multiplied by three; threefold; as, a triple knot; a triple tie.
By thy triple shape as thou art seen.
Dryden.
2.
Three times repeated; treble. See Treble.
3.
One of three; third.
[Obs.]
Shak.
Triple crown, the crown, or tiara, of the pope. See Tiara, 2.<-- (b) (Sport) The championship in three specific categories of a sport in one year, if won by a single contender; as (Baseball) The championship in batting average, home runs, and runs batted in (RBI's) in one league. --> -- Triple-expansion steam engine, a compound steam engine in which the same steam performs work in three cylinders successively. -- Triple measure Mus., a measure of tree beats of which first only is accented. -- Triple ratio Math., a ratio which is equal to 3. -- Triple salt Chem., a salt containing three distinct basic atoms as radicals; thus, microcosmic salt is a triple salt. -- Triple star Astron., a system of three stars in close proximity. -- Triple time Mus., that time in which each measure is divided into three equal parts. -- Triple valve, in an automatic air brake for railroad cars, the valve under each car, by means of which the brake is controlled by a change of pressure in the air pipe leading from the locomotive.
© Webster 1913.
Tri"ple, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tripled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Tripling (?).] [Cf. F. tripler. See Triple, a.]
To make threefold, or thrice as much or as many; to treble; as, to triple the tax on coffee.
© Webster 1913.