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treble Definition

tre·ble (treb′əl)

adjective

  1. threefold; triple
    1. of or for the highest part in musical harmony
    2. playing or singing this part
  3. high-pitched or shrill

Etymology: OFr < L triplus, triple

noun

  1. the highest part in musical harmony; soprano
  2. a singer or instrument that takes this part
  3. a high-pitched voice or sound
  4. the higher part of the audio-frequency band in sound reproduction

transitive verb, intransitive verb -·bled, -·bling

to make or become threefold

treble Related Forms

tre′·bly adverb

treble Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • win: In his first full season for the club 2000/01, Emile helped Liverpool win the treble.
  • complete: Emily knew she would have real fight on her hands to complete the treble.
  • ring: She rang the treble in exemplary fashion to Plain Bob Doubles.

Converse of subject

sing: The Chapel Choir was originally made up solely of male voices, the upper parts being sung by boy trebles.

Adjective modifier

  • unprecedented: MancWatch - January 2000 FASCINATING NUMBERS OF THE LAST MILLENIUM 1999 Bob Paisley wins unprecedented treble.
  • historic: The historic Treble is on display with photo opportunities.
  • domestic: The 2002/03 season ended trophyless for the Hoops with arch-rivals Rangers completing a domestic treble.
  • unique: Ryan Giggs's goal in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park in 1999 allowed United to believe they could win their unique treble.

Modifies a noun

  • clef: For some reason, they always put a treble clef in front of every line of flute music.
  • scalings: Why he used such long treble scalings is therefore not clear.
  • viol: A total of 26 pieces for two treble viols or violins with gamba or cello.
  • soloist: The treble soloist is the stunning Quintin Beer who recently featured in a BBC Radio 4 documentary about Allegri's famous Miserere.
  • tilt: Control features include source, bass and treble tilt, listening axis, volume, time-compensated balance and absolute phase.
  • recorder: Treble recorder, soaring solo and some volcanic drumming keep it top of your pops!

Modifying Another Word

  • roughly: Admission to the UK Register of Nurses from overseas has roughly trebled from 5,000 in 1997/98 to 15,000 in 2003/4.
  • nearly: A standard light rail vehicle can carry up to 250 people - nearly treble the capacity of a typical bus.
  • almost: Over the past two years the number of dumped vehicles has almost trebled.

Noun used with modifier

  • cup: He then took Liverpool forward and presided over the Reds cup treble in 2001 and on to Champions League assaults.
  • boy: The soloists from Canterbury were of course first class, the boy treble especially touching the emotions.

Preposition: in

size: However, by the end of 1944 it had trebled in size.