Word Study
tri-
CIDE DICTIONARY
tri-, [Gr. tri- or L. tri-, sometimes through French; akin to L. tres three, and E. three. See Three.].
- A prefix meaning three, thrice, threefold; as in tricolored, tridentate. [1913 Webster]
- A prefix (also used adjectively) denoting three proportional or combining part, or the third degree of that to the name of which it is prefixed; as in trisulphide, trioxide, trichloride. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
tri-, comb. form forming nouns and adjectives meaning:
1 three or three times.
2 Chem. (forming the names of compounds) containing three atoms or groups of a specified kind (triacetate).
1 three or three times.
2 Chem. (forming the names of compounds) containing three atoms or groups of a specified kind (triacetate).
Etymology
L & Gk f. L tres, Gk treis three
ROGET THESAURUS
tri-
Triality
N triality, trinity, triunity, three, triad, triplet, trey, trio, ternion, leash, shamrock, tierce, spike-team, trefoil, triangle, trident, triennium, trigon, trinomial, trionym, triplopia, tripod, trireme, triseme, triskele, triskelion, trisula, third power, cube, cube root, three, triform, trinal, trinomial, tertiary, ternary, triune, triarch, triadie, triple, tri-, tris-, tria juncta in uno.For further exploring for "tri-" in Webster Dictionary Online