TRIPLE

I. verb (~d; tripling) Etymology: Middle English (Scots), from Late Latin triplare, from Latin triplus, adjective Date: 14th century transitive verb to make three times as great or as many, 2. to score (a base runner) by a ~, to bring about the scoring of (a run) by a ~, intransitive verb to become three times as great or as numerous , to make a ~ in baseball, II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Latin triplus, adjective Date: 15th century 1. a ~ sum, quantity, or number, a combination, group, or series of three, a base hit that allows the batter to reach third base safely, trifecta 1, III. adjective see: -fold Date: 15th century being three times as great or as many, having or involving three units or members , having a threefold relation or character , 4. three times repeated ; treble , having three full revolutions , marked by three beats per musical measure , 6. having units of three components , involving correspondence of three syllables (as in unfortunate-importunate )