treble

[ treb-uhl ]

adjective

1. threefold; triple.
2. Music.
   1. of or relating to the highest part in harmonized music; soprano.
   2. of the highest pitch or range, as a voice part, voice, singer, or instrument.
   3. high in pitch; shrill.

noun

1. Music.
   1. the treble or soprano part.
   2. a treble voice, singer, or instrument.
2. a high or shrill voice or sound.
3. the highest-pitched peal of a bell.

verb (used with or without object)

, tre·bled, tre·bling.

1. to make or become three times as much or as many; triple.

treble

/ ˈtrɛbəl /

adjective

1. threefold; triple
2. of, relating to, or denoting a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument

noun

1. three times the amount, size, etc
2. a soprano voice or part or a high-pitched instrument
3. the highest register of a musical instrument
4. 1. the high-frequency response of an audio amplifier, esp in a record player or tape recorder
   2. a control knob on such an instrument by means of which the high-frequency gain can be increased or decreased
5. Leisure:Bell-ringing the lightest and highest bell in a ring
6. 1. the narrow inner ring on a dartboard
   2. a hit on this ring

verb

1. to make or become three times as much

Derived Forms

• ˈtrebly, adverbadjective
• ˈtrebleness, noun

Other Words From

• tre·bly [treb, -lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

1275–1325; (adj. and noun) Middle English < Middle French < Latin triplus triple; (v.) Middle English treblen, derivative of the adj.

Word History and Origins

Origin of treble¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin triplus threefold, triple

Example Sentences

She looked through his list of potential song titles and came across one called “Treble Bass.”

From The Daily Beast

At the time of his death, Fleming had pulled off a rare treble in English literature.

From The Daily Beast

In treble, second and fourth, the first change is a dodge behind; and the second time the treble leads, there's a double Bob.

From Project Gutenberg

The Seven-score and four on the six middle Bells, the treble leading, and the tenor lying behind every change, makes good Musick.

From Project Gutenberg

Sir Peter Edlin, it seems, has been doing treble the amount of work for a two-third's salary.

From Project Gutenberg

The simplest form was the Doublette sounding the 15th and 22nd (the double and treble octave) of the note struck.

From Project Gutenberg

Thou knittest togider the mene sowle of treble kinde, moeving alle thinges'; &c.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• high-pitched
• soprano