trio English · revision 14920

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1724|origins=la trēs}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈtriː.əʊ/, US /ˈtriː.oʊ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|it|trio]], partly through [[fr|trio]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024) formed from [[m|it|tri-|t=three]], from [[la|trēs|t=three]] (see [[three]]), on the pattern of [[duo]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A musical composition for three voices or instruments: 1724.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A group of three persons is from 1763 in the OED, 1789 in Etymonline,^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) and of things or animals from 1777.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) The middle section of a minuet or other dance movement is the trio from 1840,^(OED 1989) the ''trio sonata'' is from 1884,^(OED 1989) and in piquet three aces, kings, queens or knaves are a trio from 1891.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1724 – a composition for three.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1763 – three persons.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1777 – any group of three.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1840 – the trio of a minuet.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1891 – trio (piquet).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A group of three people or things.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(music)'' A composition for three performers, or the group performing it.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(music)'' The contrasting middle section of a [[minuet]], [[scherzo]] or march.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(piquet)'' Three cards of the same rank.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[duo]]

+ * [[three]]

+ * [[triad]]

+ * [[trinity]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}