triangle English · revision 15106

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1392|origins=la triangulus}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈtraɪ.æŋ.ɡəl/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|triangle]], [[bor|fro|triangle]] and directly [[la|triangulum|t=triangle]], the noun use of the neuter of [[m|la|triangulus|t=three-cornered]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) from [[m|la|tri-|t=three]] and [[m|la|angulus|t=corner, angle]] (see [[angle]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A figure with three sides and three angles: 1392 in Barnhart, 1398 in the OED.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A three-cornered carpenter's instrument is from about 1400,^(Etymonline) and the constellation Triangulum from the mid-15th century.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) A triangle used as a symbol, as of the Trinity, is from 1584,^(OED 1989) and figuratively a group of three from 1621, especially a love affair of three people.^(OED 1989) The musical instrument, a steel rod bent into a triangle, is by 1801.^(Etymonline) The ''Bermuda Triangle'' is from 1964.^(OED 1989) Triangular is from before 1400, in a translation of Lanfranc,^(Barnhart 1988) and triangulate from 1833, in Herschel.^(Barnhart 1988) In Northamptonshire dialect ''triangle-ways'' meant cross-cornered.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1392 – a triangle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1400 – a carpenter's triangle.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1584 – a symbolic triangle.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1621 – a group of three.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1801 – the musical triangle.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1964 – the Bermuda Triangle.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A plane figure with three sides and three angles.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Anything shaped like a triangle.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A situation involving three parties, especially a love affair: ''the eternal triangle''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)

+ # ''(music)'' A percussion instrument made of a steel rod bent into a triangle, struck with a metal beater.^(Collins 2023)^(Etymonline)

+ # A flat three-sided guide used in drawing.^(AHD)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[triangled]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[angle]]

+ * [[triangular]]

+ * [[triangulate]]

+ * [[tri-]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}