triple

Tri"ple, a. Etym: [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. -- 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. Tri"ple, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Tripled; p. pr. & vb. n. Tripling.] Etym: [Cf. F. tripler. See Triple, a.] Defn: To make threefold, or thrice as much or as many; to treble; as, to triple the tax on coffee.

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