tri-

Forms

tri-^[1] The i is short, but sometimes lengthened, especially in numerals (trīduum).^[2][3]

Etymology

It is inherited from Proto-Italic *tri-,^[1] the combining form of the numeral trēs (“three”),^[4][1][3] from Proto-Indo-European *tri- (“three”), the form used in compounds.^[3]

Compare Umbrian tripler (“three at a time”).^[3]

Meanings

Prefix

1. Having three, consisting of three (triplex, tridēns).^[4][1]
2. Of three units of time (triennium).^[4]

Word family

• triennium
• triplex
• trīmus
• trīduum
• trivium
• trirēmis
• tridēns
• tripēs

Related words

• bi-
• ter
• English tri-

Usage notes

English tri- has two sources: Latin tri- and the Greek prefix of the same form.^[2]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
3. ^ a b c d de Vaan, Michiel (2008), Etymological Dictionary of Latin and the other Italic Languages, Leiden Indo-European Etymological Dictionary Series 7, Leiden; Boston: Brill
4. ^ a b c Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press