tripode

Forms

tripode (plural tripodes)^[1]

Etymology

It is borrowed from Ancient Greek τρίπους (trípous, “three-footed”).^[2][3][4][5] The Greek word is formed from τρι- (tri-, “three”) and πούς (poús, “foot”).^[3][4] Wiktionary takes it through Latin tripodem.^[1] The French word for an everyday three-legged stand is trépied.^[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first recorded in 1562, in Maurice Scève's Microcosme, meaning a tripod, a three-footed stand.^[2]

Semantic evolution

After this isolated 16th-century use the word came back in the late 19th century as a technical term.^[2][3] The Nouveau Larousse illustré of 1904 records the naval mât tripode, a metal mast shaped like a tripod that carries the fire-control top of some modern warships.^[2][4] By analogy it was used of anything shaped like a tripod, and as a noun it names a three-legged support.^[2] In the 20th century it also became the name of the three-armed turnstile that controls access to station and metro platforms.^[6][7]

Timeline

• 1562 – Maurice Scève uses it for a tripod in the Microcosme.^[2]
• 1904 – The Nouveau Larousse illustré records the naval sense of mât tripode.^[2][4]
• 20th century – It names the three-armed turnstile at metro and station entrances.^[6]

Meanings

Adjective

1. Having three feet or legs, shaped like a tripod.^[2][7]
2. (nautical, dated) Mât tripode: a metal mast in the form of a tripod.^[2][6][8]

Noun

1. A three-legged support, a tripod.^[2]
2. A turnstile with three arms controlling the entrance to a metro or railway platform.^[6][7][8]

Related words

• trépied
• Ancient Greek τρίπους (trípous)

References

1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
3. ^ a b c Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
4. ^ a b c d Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
5. ^ Wartburg, Walther von, et al. (1922–2002), Französisches Etymologisches Wörterbuch, 25 vols., Bonn / Leipzig / Basel: Klopp / Teubner / Zbinden, p. 13/2, 298b
6. ^ a b c d Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
7. ^ a b c Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
8. ^ a b Dictionnaire Le Robert en ligne, dictionnaire.lerobert.com (accessed 2024)