I. (ˈ)trī|pär]ˌtīt, -pȧ] also ]d.ˌīt; usu -īd.+V\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin tripartitus, from tri- + partitus — more at partite
1.
a. : divided into or being in three parts : composed of three parts or kinds
a tripartite seismograph
Plato's doctrine of the tripartite soul — Helen North
b. : involving or of the nature of division into three parts
a tripartite division
2. : having three corresponding parts or copies
make indentures tripartite
3.
a. : made between or involving three parties
a tripartite bloc
a tripartite treaty
a tripartite alliance
tripartite discussions
b. : composed of or involving representatives of labor, management, and the public with each group having equal status with the other two
a tripartite pension board
tripartite arbitration
4.
a. : consisting of three parts or divisions
these larvae had a … typically tripartite gut — J.W.Jenkinson
b. : divided into three parts nearly to the base
a tripartite leaf
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin tripartitus
: something (as a document, agreement, or book) divided into or made in three parts