The Gutenberg Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Chapter 1764

Chapter 17642,720 wordsPublic domain

Triaconter <Xpage=1536>

Tri"a*con`ter (?) , n. [Gr. <?/, fr. <?/ thirty.] (Gr. Antiq.) A vessel with thirty banks of oars, or, as some say, thirty ranks of rowers.

Triad <Xpage=1536>

Tri"ad (?) , n. [L. trias , -adis , Gr. <?/, <?/, fr.<?/, <?/, three: cf. F. triade . See Three , and cf. Trias , Trio .] 1. A union of three; three objects treated as one; a ternary; a trinity; as, a triad of deities .

2. (Mus.) (a) A chord of three notes. (b) The common chord, consisting of a tone with its third and fifth, with or without the octave.

3. (Chem.) An element or radical whose valence is three.

Triads of the Welsh bards , poetical histories, in which the facts recorded are grouped by threes, three things or circumstances of a kind being mentioned together. -- Hindoo triad . See Trimurti .

Triadelphous <Xpage=1536>

Tri`a*del"phous (?) , a. [Pref. tri- + Gr. <?/ brother.] (Bot.) Having stamens joined by filaments into three bundles. See Illust . under Adelphous .

Triadic <Xpage=1536>

Tri*ad"ic (?) , a. (Chem.) Having the characteristics of a triad; as, boron is triadic .

Triakisoctahedron <Xpage=1536>

Tri"a*kis*oc`ta*he"dron (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ thrice + E. octahedron .] (Crystalloq.) A trigonal trisoctahedron.

Trial <Xpage=1536>

Tri"al (?) , n. [From Try .] 1. The act of trying or testing in any manner. Specifically: --

(a) Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.

[I] defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. Milton.

(b) The act of testing by experience; proof; test.

Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions. Bp. Wilkins.

(c) Examination by a test; experiment, as in chemistry, metallurgy, etc.

2. The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men.

Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings. Heb. xi. 36.

3. That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principles; that which tempts to evil; as, his child's conduct was a sore trial .

Every station is exposed to some trials . Rogers.

4. (Law) The formal examination of the matter in issue in a cause before a competent tribunal; the mode of determining a question of fact in a court of law; the examination, in legal form, of the facts in issue in a cause pending before a competent tribunal, for the purpose of determining such issue.

Syn. -- Test; attempt; endeavor; effort; experiment; proof; essay. See Test , and Attempt .

Triality <Xpage=1536>

Tri*al"i*ty (?) , n. [L. tres , tria , three.] Three united; state of being three. [R.]

H. Wharton.

Trialogue <Xpage=1536>

Tri"a*logue , n. [LL. trialogus ; tri- (see Tri- ) + -logus as, in L. dialogus , E. dialogue .] A discourse or colloquy by three persons.

Triamide <Xpage=1536>

Tri*am"ide (?) , n. [ tri- + amine .] (Chem.) An amide containing three amido groups.

Triamine <Xpage=1536>

Tri*am"ine (?) , n. [Pref. tri- + amine .] (Chem.) An amine containing three amido groups.

Triander <Xpage=1536>

Tri"an`der (?) , n. (Bot.) Any one of the Triandria.

Triandria <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an"dri*a (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Tri- , and -androus .] (Bot.) A Linn\'91an class of plants having three distinct and equal stamens.

Triandrian, Triandrous <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an"dri*an (?) , Tri*an"drous (?) , a. [Cf. F. triandre .] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to the Triandria; having three distinct and equal stamens in the same flower.

Triangle <Xpage=1536>

Tri"an`gle (?) , n. [L. triangulum , fr. triangulus triangular; tri- (see Tri- ) + angulus angle: cf. F. triangle . See Angle a corner.] 1. (Geom.) A figure bounded by three lines, and containing three angles.

&hand; A triangle is either plane , spherical , or curvilinear , according as its sides are straight lines, or arcs of great circles of a sphere, or any curved lines whatever. A plane triangle is designated as scalene , isosceles , or equilateral , according as it has no two sides equal, two sides equal, or all sides equal; and also as right-angled , or oblique-angled , according as it has one right angle, or none; and oblique-angled triangle is either acute-angled , or obtuse-angled , according as all the angles are acute, or one of them obtuse. The terms scalene , isosceles , equilateral , right-angled , acute-angled , and obtuse-angled , are applied to spherical triangles in the same sense as to plane triangles.

2. (Mus.) An instrument of percussion, usually made of a rod of steel, bent into the form of a triangle, open at one angle, and sounded by being struck with a small metallic rod.

3. A draughtsman's square in the form of a right-angled triangle.

4. (Mus.) A kind of frame formed of three poles stuck in the ground and united at the top, to which soldiers were bound when undergoing corporal punishment, -- now disused.

5. (Astron.) (a) A small constellation situated between Aries and Andromeda. (b) A small constellation near the South Pole, containing three bright stars.

Triangle spider (Zo\'94l.) , a small American spider ( Hyptiotes Americanus ) of the family Ciniflonid\'91 , living among the dead branches of evergreen trees. It constructs a triangular web, or net, usually composed of four radii crossed by a double elastic fiber. The spider holds the thread at the apex of the web and stretches it tight, but lets go and springs the net when an insect comes in contact with it.

Triangled <Xpage=1536>

Tri"an`gled (?) , a. Having three angles; triangular.

Triangular <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an"gu*lar (?) , a. [L. triangularis : cf. F. triangulaire .] 1. Having three angles; having the form of a triangle.

2. (Bot.) Oblong or elongated, and having three lateral angles; as, a triangular seed, leaf, or stem .

Triangular compasses , compasses with three legs for taking off the angular points of a triangle, or any three points at the same time. -- Triangular crab (Zo\'94l.) , any maioid crab; -- so called because the carapace is usually triangular. -- Triangular numbers (Math.) , the series of numbers formed by the successive sums of the terms of an arithmetical progression, of which the first term and the common difference are 1. See Figurate numbers , under Figurate .

Triangulares <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an`gu*la"res (?) , n. pl. [L.] (Zo\'94l.) The triangular, or maioid, crabs. See Illust . under Maioid , and Illust . of Spider crab , under Spider .

Triangularity <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an`gu*lar"i*ty (?) , n. The quality or state of being triangular.

Bolingbroke.

Triangularly <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an"gu*lar*ly (?) , adv. In a triangular manner; in the form of a triangle.

Dampier.

Triangulate <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an"gu*late (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Triangulated (?) ; p. pr. & vb. n. Triangulating .] 1. To divide into triangles; specifically, to survey by means of a series of triangles properly laid down and measured.

2. To make triangular, or three-cornered.

Triangulation <Xpage=1536>

Tri*an`gu*la"tion (?) , n. [Cf. F. triangulation .] (Surv.) The series or network of triangles into which the face of a country, or any portion of it, is divided in a trigonometrical survey; the operation of measuring the elements necessary to determine the triangles into which the country to be surveyed is supposed to be divided, and thus to fix the positions and distances of the several points connected by them.

Triarchy <Xpage=1536>

Tri"ar*chy (?) , n. ; pl. Triarchies (#) . [Gr. <?/; <?/ (see Tri- ) + <?/ to rule.] Government by three persons; a triumvirate; also, a country under three rulers.

Holland.

Triarian <Xpage=1536>

Tri*a"ri*an (?) , a. [L. triarii , pl ., a class of Roman soldiers who formed the third rank from the front, fr. tres , tria , three.] Occupying the third post or rank. [Obs.]

Cowley.

Triarticulate <Xpage=1536>

Tri`ar*tic"u*late (?) , a. [Pref. tri- + articulate .] (Zo\'94l.) Having three joints.

Trias <Xpage=1536>

Tri"as (?) , n. [L., triad. See Triad .] (Geol.) The formation situated between the Permian and Lias, and so named by the Germans, because consisting of three series of strata, which are called in German the Bunter sandstein , Muschelkalk , and Keuper .

Triassic <Xpage=1536>

Tri*as"sic (?) , a. (Geol.) Of the age of, or pertaining to, the Trias . -- n. The Triassic formation.

Triatic <Xpage=1536>

Tri*at"ic (?) , a. (Naut.) A term used in the phrase triatic stay . See under Stay .

Triatomic <Xpage=1536>

Tri`a*tom"ic (?) , a. [Pref. tri- + atomic .] (Chem.) (a) Having three atoms; -- said of certain elements or radicals. (b) Having a valence of three; trivalent; sometimes, in a specific sense, having three hydroxyl groups, whether acid or basic; thus, glycerin, glyceric acid, and tartronic acid are each triatomic .

Tribal <Xpage=1536>

Trib"al (?) , a. Of or pertaining to a tribe or tribes; as, a tribal scepter .

Bp. Warburton.

Tribalism <Xpage=1536>

Trib"al*ism (?) , n. The state of existing in tribes; also, tribal feeling; tribal prejudice or exclusiveness; tribal peculiarities or characteristics.

Tribasic <Xpage=1536>

Tri*ba"sic (?) , a. [Pref. tri- + basic .] (Chem.) Capable of neutralizing three molecules of a monacid base, or their equivalent; having three hydrogen atoms capable of replacement by basic elements on radicals; -- said of certain acids; thus, citric acid is a tribasic acid.

Tribble <Xpage=1536>

Trib"ble (?) , n. (Paper Manuf.) A frame on which paper is dried.

Knight.

Tribe <Xpage=1536>

Tribe (?) , n. [L. tribus , originally, a third part of the Roman people, afterwards, a division of the people, a tribe; of uncertain origin: cf. F. tribu .]

1. A family, race, or series of generations, descending from the same progenitor, and kept distinct, as in the case of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve sons of Jacob. "The Lion of the tribe of Juda."

Rev. v. 5.

A wealthy Hebrew of my tribe . Shak.

2. (Bot.) A number of species or genera having certain structural characteristics in common; as, a tribe of plants; a tribe of animals .

&hand; By many recent naturalists, tribe has been used for a group of animals or plants intermediate between order and genus . <-- in modern taxonomy, the family is between order and genus. -->

3. A nation of savages or uncivilized people; a body of rude people united under one leader or government; as, the tribes of the Six Nations; the Seneca tribe .

4. A division, class, or distinct portion of a people, from whatever cause that distinction may have originated; as, the city of Athens was divided into ten tribes .

5. (Stock Breeding) A family of animals descended from some particular female progenitor, through the female line; as, the Duchess tribe of shorthorns .

Tribe <Xpage=1536>

Tribe , v. t. To distribute into tribes or classes. [R.]

Our fowl, fish, and quadruped are well tribed . Abp. Nicolson.

Triblet, Tribolet <Xpage=1536>

Trib"let (?) , Trib"o*let (?) , n. } [F. triboulet .] 1. A goldsmith's tool used in making rings.

Ainsworth.

2. A steel cylinder round which metal is drawn in the process of forming tubes.

Tomlinson.

3. (Blacksmithing) A tapering mandrel.

Tribometer <Xpage=1536>

Tri*bom"e*ter (?) , n. [Gr. <?/ to rub + -meter : cf. F. tribom\'8atre .] An instrument to ascertain the degree of friction in rubbing surfaces.

Brande & C.

Tribrach <Xpage=1536>

Tri"brach (?) , n. [L. tribrachys , Gr. <?/ consisting of three short syllables; <?/ (see Tri- ) + <?/ short.] (Gr. & L. Pros.) A poetic foot of three short syllables, as, m\'cbl\'cc\'dcs .

Tribracteate <Xpage=1536>

Tri*brac"te*ate (?) , a. [Pref. tri- + bracteate .] (Bot.) Having three bracts.

Tribual, Tribular <Xpage=1536>

Trib"u*al (?) , Trib"u*lar (?) , a. Of or relating to a tribe; tribal; as, a tribual characteristic; tribular worship . [R.]

The tribual lispings of the Ephraimites. Fuller.

Tribulation <Xpage=1536>

Trib`u*la"tion (?) , n. [OE. tribulacium , F. tribulation , L. tribulatio , from tribulare to press, afflict, fr. tribulum a thrashing sledge, akin to terere , tritum , to rub. See Trite .] That which occasions distress, trouble, or vexation; severe affliction.

When tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matt. xiii. 21.

In the world ye shall have tribulation . John. xvi. 33.

Tribunal <Xpage=1536>

Tri*bu"nal (?) , n. [L. tribunal , fr. tribunus a tribune who administered justice: cf. F. tribunal . See Tribune .] 1. The seat of a judge; the bench on which a judge and his associates sit for administering justice.

2. Hence, a court or forum; as, the House of Lords, in England, is the highest tribunal in the kingdom .

Tribunary <Xpage=1536>

Trib"u*na*ry (?) , a. Of or pertaining to tribunes; as, tribunary powers or authority .

Tribunate <Xpage=1536>

Trib"u*nate (?) , n. [L. tribunatus : cf. F. tribunat .] The state or office of a tribune; tribuneship.

Tribune <Xpage=1536>

Trib"une (?) , n. [L. tribunus , properly, the chief of a tribe, fr. tribus tribe: cf. F. tribun . See Tribe .] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) An officer or magistrate chosen by the people, to protect them from the oppression of the patricians, or nobles, and to defend their liberties against any attempts that might be made upon them by the senate and consuls.

&hand; The tribunes were at first two, but their number was increased ultimately to ten. There were also military tribunes, officers of the army, of whom there were from four to six in each legion. Other officers were also called tribunes; as, tribunes of the treasury, etc.

2. Anciently, a bench or elevated place, from which speeches were delivered; in France, a kind of pulpit in the hall of the legislative assembly, where a member stands while making an address; any place occupied by a public orator.

Tribuneship <Xpage=1536>

Trib"une*ship , n. The office or power of a tribune.

Tribunician, Tribunitial, Tribunitian <Xpage=1536>

Trib`u*ni"cian (?) , Trib`u*ni"tial (?) , Trib`u*ni*tian (?) , a. [L. tribunicius , tribunitius : cf. F. tribunitien .] Of or pertaining to tribunes; befitting a tribune; as, tribunitial power or authority .

Dryden.

A kind of tribunician veto, forbidding that which is recognized to be wrong. Hare.

Tribunitious <Xpage=1536>

Trib`u*ni"tious (?) , a. Tribunician; tribunitial. [Obs.]

Bacon.

Trubutarily <Xpage=1536>

Trub"u*ta*ri*ly (?) , adv. In a tributary manner.

Tributariness <Xpage=1536>

Trib"u*ta*ri*ness , n. The quality or state of being tributary.

Tributary <Xpage=1536>

Trib"u*ta*ry (?) , a. [OE. tributaire , F. tributaire , L. tributarius . See Tribute .] 1. Paying tribute to another, either from compulsion, as an acknowledgment of submission, or to secure protection, or for the purpose of purchasing peace.

[Julius] unto Rome made them tributary . Chaucer.

2. Hence, subject; subordinate; inferior.

He to grace his tributary gods. Milton.

3. Paid in tribute. " Tributary tears."

Shak.

4. Yielding supplies of any kind; serving to form or make up, a greater object of the same kind, as a part, branch, etc.; contributing; as, the Ohio has many tributary streams, and is itself tributary to the Mississippi .

<page="1537"> Page 1537

Tributary <Xpage=1537>

Trib"u*ta*ry (?) , n. ; pl. Tributaries (<?/) . 1. A ruler or state that pays tribute, or a stated sum, to a conquering power, for the purpose of securing peace and protection, or as an acknowledgment of submission, or for the purchase of security.

2. A stream or river flowing into a larger river or into a lake; an affluent.

Tribute <Xpage=1537>

Trib"ute (?) , n. [OE. tribut , L. tributum , fr. tribuere , tributum , to bestow, grant, pay, allot, assign, originally, to a tribe, from tribus tribe; cf. F. tribut . See Tribe , and cf. Attribute , Contribute .] 1. An annual or stated sum of money or other valuable thing, paid by one ruler or nation to another, either as an acknowledgment of submission, or as the price of peace and protection, or by virtue of some treaty; as, the Romans made their conquered countries pay tribute .

Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute . C. C. Pinckney.

2. A personal contribution, as of money, praise, service, etc., made in token of services rendered, or as that which is due or deserved; as, a tribute of affection .

Implores the passing tribute of a sigh. Gray.

3. (Mining) A certain proportion of the ore raised, or of its value, given to the miner as his recompense.

Pryce. Tomlinson.

Tribute money , money paid as a tribute or tax. -- Tribute pitch . (Mining) See under Tributer . [Eng.]

Syn. -- See Subsidy .

Tribute <Xpage=1537>

Trib"ute , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Tributed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Tributing .] To pay as tribute. [R.]

Whitlock (1654).

Tributer <Xpage=1537>

Trib"u*ter (?) , n. (Mining) One who works for a certain portion of the ore, or its value. [Eng.]