Standard Lemma guide

tris-

prefix · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

prefix

Meaning 1

A variant of tri- used to indicate that the component that does not take the prefix occurs three times in the compound: trisphosphuret of copper is PCu3; trisbenzeneazoresorcinol, C6H(OH)2(N2Ph)3.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: morpheme, obsolete

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

prefix

Meaning 2

A variant of tri-, used for substitutions of three complex rather than simple units, as in,

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: morpheme

Topics: chemistry, natural-sciences, physical-sciences

Examples

  • trisbenzene-azophenol, C6H2(N:NC6H5)3OH
  • tristhio-dimethyl-benzaldehyde, {C6H3(CH3)2CHS}3

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek τρῐ́ς (trĭ́s, “thrice”).