I. ˈtriplə̇t, usu -ə̇d.+V noun
( -s )
Etymology: triple (II) + -et
1. : a unit of three lines of verse
2. : a collection of three of a kind : a combination of three united : a set or group of three
fraction triplets
3.
a. : one of three children or offspring born at one birth
b. triplets plural : a group of three offspring born at one birth
4. : a group of three musical notes or tones performed in the time of two of the same value
5. : a combination of three lenses (as in a camera or microscope)
6. triplets plural : three cards of a kind especially in poker
7. : a composite gemstone made by cementing together three parts of which the top and bottom are usually genuine and the middle a colored substitute
8.
a. : a spectrum line or an energy level of an atom, molecule, or nucleus having three components associated with the three possible orientations of one quantum unit of spin
b. triplets plural : three lines in a spectrum closely adjacent or in sets of three (as in the spectrum of iron)
II. noun
1.
a. : a group of three elementary particles (as positive, negative, and neutral pions) with different charge states but otherwise similar properties
b. or triplet state : any state of an elementary particle having one quantum unit of spin
c. : an atom or molecule with an even number of electrons that have a net magnetic moment
2. : codon herein