I. ˈtrebəl noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English treble, trible, from Middle French treble, from treble, adjective
1.
a. : the highest of the four voice parts in vocal music : soprano
b.
(1) : a singer taking this part
(2) chiefly Britain : a boy singer taking this part
c. : a musical instrument taking this part
d. : a high-pitched or shrill voice, tone, or sound
a child's treble
e. : the highest bell of a ring in change ringing
f. : the upper half of the musical pitch range — contrasted with bass
g. : the higher portion of the audio frequency range in sound recording and broadcasting involving frequencies above 1000 cycles per second
2. : something that is treble in construction, uses, amount, number, value, or other characteristic:
a. : a rack on which new sheets of handmade paper or sheets of newly printed paper are dried
b. : a win of three races by one horse
II. verb
( trebled ; trebled ; trebling -b(ə)liŋ ; trebles )
Etymology: Middle English treblen, from Middle French trebler, from treble, adjective
transitive verb
: to make three times as much or as many or as great : increase threefold : multiply by three
the first daily penny paper … trebled its circulation — Alistair Cooke
the commercial value of the looms was doubled or trebled overnight — Irish Digest
intransitive verb
1. : to speak or sing in a treble tone
2. : to become threefold : grow to three times the size, amount, or number
its population has trebled since 1900 — American Guide Series: Pennsylvania
III. adjective
Etymology: Middle English treble, trible, from Middle French treble, from Latin triplus — more at triple
1.
a. : having three parts, elements, things, or uses : consisting of three members, sets, or layers : threefold
a treble row of bright red coral beads — R.M.Fox
twenty-five strokes from the treble whips — Lord Dunsany
a lofty tower … with treble walls — John Dryden
b. : having a threefold character : occurring in three kinds or existing in three ways
every episode has its double and treble meaning — Frederic Harrison
2. : three times repeated : triple in number or amount : three times as much or as many
treble salaries were paid — W.O.Douglas
a newspaper with a circulation treble that of its competitor
sold for treble the price
a claim for treble damages
3.
a. : relating to or having the range of a musical treble
treble violin
treble voice
b. : high or sharp in tone : acute , high-pitched , shrill
with her constant treble cry — Ethel Wilson
c. : of, relating to, or having the range of treble in sound recording and broadcasting
treble frequencies
4. : of, relating to, or constituting a fishhook consisting of 3 single hooks fastened back to back usually with an angle of 120 degrees between adjacent hooks — compare gang hook
IV. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, from treble, adjective
obsolete : trebly