adj., n., & v.
--adj.
1. a threefold. b triple. c three times as much or many (treble the amount).
2 (of a voice) high-pitched.
3 Mus. SOPRANO (esp. of an instrument or with ref. to a boy's voice).
--n.
1. a treble quantity or thing.
2 Darts a hit on the narrow ring enclosed by the two middle circles of a dartboard, scoring treble.
3 a Mus. SOPRANO (esp. a boy's voice or part, or an instrument). b a high-pitched voice.
4 the high-frequency output of a radio, record-player, etc., corresponding to the treble in music.
5 a system of betting in which the winnings and stake from the first bet are transferred to a second and then (if successful) to a third.
6 Sport three victories or championships in the same game, sport, etc.
--v.
1. tr. & intr. make or become three times as much or many; increase threefold; multiply by three.
2 tr. amount to three times as much as.
Phrases and idioms:
treble chance a method of competing in a football pool in which the chances of winning depend on the number of draws and home and away wins predicted by the competitors. treble clef a clef placing G above middle C on the second lowest line of the staff. treble rhyme a rhyme including three syllables.
Derivatives:
trebly adv. (in sense 1 of adj.).
Etymology: ME f. OF f. L triplus TRIPLE