trigraph

[trahy-graf, -grahf]

noun

a group of three letters representing a single speech sound, as eau in beau.

Origin of trigraph

First recorded in 1830–40; tri- + -graph

Related formstri·graph·ic

[trahy-graf-ik] /traɪˈgræf ɪk/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trigraph

Historical Examples of trigraph

Trigraph, trī′graf, n. a combination of three letters sounded as one, a triphthong.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various

British Dictionary definitions for trigraph

trigraph

noun

a combination of three letters used to represent a single speech sound or phoneme, such as eau in French beau

Derived Formstrigraphic (traɪˈɡræfɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012