ˈtraɪæŋɡl n. 1 a plane
figure with three sides
and angles. 2
any three things
not in a
straight line, with
imaginary lines joining
them. 3 an
implement of
this shape. 4 a
musical instrument consisting of a
steel rod bent
into a triangle and sounded by
striking it with a
small steel rod. 5 a
situation,
esp. an
emotional relationship, involving three
people. 6 a right-angled triangle of
wood etc. as a drawing-implement. 7 Naut. a
device of three spars
for raising weights. 8
hist. a
frame of three halberds joined at
the top to
which a
soldier was bound for flogging. øtriangle of forces a triangle
whose sides
represent in
magnitude and
direction three forces in
equilibrium. [ME f. OF triangle or L triangulum neut. of triangulus three-cornered (as
TRI-, ANGLE(1))]