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treble

9 dictionary results for: Treble

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

tre·ble

[treb-uh

l] Pronunciation Key adjective, noun, verb, -bled, -bling.

–adjective

1.	threefold; triple.

Music.

a.	of or pertaining to the highest part in harmonized music; soprano.

b.	of the highest pitch or range, as a voice part, voice, singer, or instrument.

c.	high in pitch; shrill.

–noun

Music.

a.	the treble or soprano part.

b.	a treble voice, singer, or instrument.

4.	a high or shrill voice or sound.

5.	the highest-pitched peal of a bell.

–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)

6.	to make or become three times as much or as many; triple.

[Origin: 1275–1325; (adj. and n.) ME < MF < L triplus triple; (v.) ME treblen, deriv. of the adj.

]

—Related forms

tre·bly

[treb-lee] Pronunciation Key, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

treb·le (trěb'əl) Pronunciation Key
adj.

Triple: "treble reason for loving as well as working while it is day" (George Eliot).
Music Relating to or having the highest part, voice, or range.
High-pitched; shrill.

Music
1. The highest part, voice, instrument, or range.
2. A singer or player that performs this part.
A high, shrill sound or voice.

tr. & intr.v. treb·led, treb·ling, treb·les
To make or become triple.

[Middle English, from Old French, from Medieval Latin triplum, from Latin, neuter of triplus, triple; see triple.]

treb'le·ness n., treb'ly (trěb'lē) adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
treble (adj.)

c.1374, "three times, triple," from O.Fr. treble (12c.), from L. triplus (see triple). The verb is recorded from c.1325. The noun meaning "highest part in music, soprano" is attested from c.1330, from O.Fr. treble; in early contrapuntal music, the chief melody was in the tenor, and the treble was the "third" part above it (after the alto).

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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

treble
adjective
1.	having or denoting a high range; "soprano voice"; "soprano sax"; "the boy still had a fine treble voice"; "the treble clef" [syn: soprano]
2.	three times as great or many; "a claim for treble (or triple) damages"; "a threefold increase"
3.	having three units or components or elements; "a ternary operation"; "a treble row of red beads"; "overcrowding made triple sessions necessary"; "triple time has three beats per measure"; "triplex windows" [syn: ternary]
4.	having more than one decidedly dissimilar aspects or qualities; "a double (or dual) role for an actor"; "the office of a clergyman is twofold; public preaching and private influence"- R.W.Emerson; "every episode has its double and treble meaning"-Frederick Harrison [syn: double]
noun
1.	the pitch range of the highest female voice [syn: soprano]
verb
1.	sing treble
2.	increase threefold; "Triple your income!" [syn: triple]

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Treble

Tre"ble\, a. [OE. treble threefold, OF. treble, treible, L. triplus. See Triple.]

1. Threefold; triple.

A lofty tower, and strong on every side With treble walls. --Dryden.

2. (Mus.) (a) Acute; sharp; as, a treble sound. --Bacon. (b) Playing or singing the highest part or most acute sounds; playing or singing the treble; as, a treble violin or voice.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Treble

Tre"ble\, adv. Trebly; triply. [Obs.] --J. Fletcher.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Treble

Tre"ble\, n. [" It has been said to be a corruption of triplum [Lat.], a third part, superadded to the altus and bassus (high and low)." --Grove.] (Mus.) The highest of the four principal parts in music; the part usually sung by boys or women; soprano.

Note: This is sometimes called the first treble, to distinguish it from the second treble, or alto, which is sung by lower female voices.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Treble

Tre"ble\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Trebled; p. pr. & vb. n. Trebling.]

1. To make thrice as much; to make threefold. "Love trebled life." --Tennyson.

2. To utter in a treble key; to whine. [Obs.]

He outrageously (When I accused him) trebled his reply. --Chapman.

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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Treble

Tre"ble\, v. i. To become threefold. --Swift.