treble

n. [ F. tréfle. See Trefoil. ] (Fort.) A species of time; -- so called from its resemblance in form to a trefoil. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ OE. treble threefold, OF. treble, treible, L. triplus. See Triple. ] 1. Threefold; triple. [ 1913 Webster ]

A lofty tower, and strong on every side
With treble walls. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mus.) (a) Acute; sharp; as, a treble sound. Bacon. (b) Playing or singing the highest part or most acute sounds; playing or singing the treble; as, a treble violin or voice. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Trebled p. pr. & vb. n. Trebling. ] 1. To make thrice as much; to make threefold. “Love trebled life.” Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To utter in a treble key; to whine. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He outrageously
(When I accused him) trebled his reply. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To become threefold. Swift. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ “ It has been said to be a corruption of triplum [ Lat. ], a third part, superadded to the altus and bassus (high and low).” Grove. ] (Mus.) The highest of the four principal parts in music; the part usually sung by boys or women; soprano. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This is sometimes called the first treble, to distinguish it from the second treble, or alto, which is sung by lower female voices. [ 1913 Webster ]

adv. Trebly; triply. [ Obs. ] J. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The quality or state of being treble; as, the trebleness of tones. Bacon. [ 1913 Webster ]