tri-

American  

1. a combining form meaning “three,” used in the formation of compound words.

   triacid; triatomic.

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tri- British  

prefix

1. three or thrice

   triaxial

   trigon

   trisect

2. occurring every three

   trimonthly

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Usage

What does tri- mean? Tri- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “three.” Tri- is often used in a great variety of both everyday and technical terms. Tri- ultimately comes from both Greek treîs, tría and Latin trēs, tria, all of which mean “three.”

Etymology

Origin of tri-

Middle English < Latin, combining form representing Latin trēs, tria, Greek treîs, tría three

Example Sentences

If you have access to pliable pruned fruit tree branches, you can make tri- or quad-podded structures for your summer crops.

From New York Times • Jun. 19, 2013

Among them are the corn-fed chicken itself; modified cornstarch; mono-, tri-, and diglycerides; dextrose; lecithin; yellow corn flour; regular cornstarch; vegetable shortening; partially hydrogenated corn oil.

From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan

We have no trials for sickness before the tri- 442:1 bunal of divine Spirit.

From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Eddy, Mary Baker

Mingling with the party's tri- colored banners were two lettered ones which read:

From Jailed for Freedom by Stevens, Doris

It inculcates the tri- 340:18 unity of God, Spirit, Mind; it signifies that man shall         have no other spirit or mind but God, eternal good, and         that all men shall have one Mind.

From Science and Health, with Key to the Scriptures by Eddy, Mary Baker