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treble

 - 3 dictionary results

tre⋅ble

  [treb-uhl] adjective, noun, verb, -bled, -bling.
Use treble in a Sentence
–adjective
1. threefold; triple.
2. 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
3. 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] , adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To treble
treb·le   (trěb'əl)   
adj.  

  1. Triple: "treble reason for loving as well as working while it is day" (George Eliot).

  2. Music Relating to or having the highest part, voice, or range.

  3. High-pitched; shrill.

n.  

  1. Music

    1. The highest part, voice, instrument, or range.

    2. A singer or player that performs this part.

  2. 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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

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).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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