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. 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. trebly adv. (in sense 1 of adj.).
[ ME f. OF f. L triplus TRIPLE ]