treble

/ˈtrɛbəl/

/ˈtrɛbəl/

Other forms: trebled; trebly; trebles; trebling

Something that's treble has three parts or sections. You could describe a tricycle as a treble wheeled vehicle.

You can use the adjective treble to mean "triple," either because it's three times as large, or has three components. If you watch three movies in a row at a theater, you can call it a treble feature. A three-headed monster can also be described as treble headed. Another meaning of treble is a high-pitched singing voice, especially a boy's. Treble comes from the Latin word triplus, or "threefold."

Definitions of treble

1. adjective

   having or denoting a high range
   “the boy still had a fine treble voice”

   “the treble clef”

   synonyms: soprano

   high, high-pitched

   used of sounds and voices; high in pitch or frequency
2. noun

   the pitch range of the highest female voice
   synonyms: soprano

   type of:

   pitch

   the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
3. verb

   sing treble
   type of:

   sing

   produce tones with the voice
4. adjective

   three times as great or many
   “a claim for treble (or triple) damages”

   synonyms: three-fold, threefold, triple

   multiple

   having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual
5. adjective

   having three units or components or elements
   “a treble row of red beads”

   synonyms: ternary, triple, triplex

   multiple

   having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual
6. adjective

   having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities
   synonyms: double, dual, three-fold, threefold, two-fold, twofold

   multiple

   having or involving or consisting of more than one part or entity or individual
7. verb

   increase threefold
   synonyms: triple

   type of:

   manifold, multiply

   combine or increase by multiplication