Middle English Dictionary Entry
treble n.
Entry Info
| Forms | treble n. Also trebil(le, trebul, trible, tribul; pl. treblis, trebelis. |
| Etymology | OF treble, AF trebel, trebill n. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) The product of multiplication by three; a sum three times greater than that to which it is compared; also, a trebled number as represented in a written calculation [quot. c1450]; (b) mus. the highest part in a three-part contrapuntal composition; also fig.; the voice singing the treble part; also, ?a high or sharp note [quot. c1450].
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1362/17 : A noumbre is ytake wiþ comparisoun in þis wise..þre is treble to oon and sixe to tweyne and nyne to þre.
- (a1398) Trev.Barth.(Add 27944:Seymour)1362/31 : An nombre þat hatte multiplex conteyneþ þe lasse nombre twies or þries..þre is treble to oon and foure is quatreble to oon and so of oþere.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)266 : Take þis for a general rwle þat þe same proporcion that is betwene 2 smale numbris þe same is be-twene here doubles, & treblis, & quatreblis, & quiniblis, & so forþe endlesly.
- c1450 Art Number.(Ashm 396)49/28 : That done, thow most trebille the digit, and that triplat is to be put vnder the 3 next figure towarde the right honde, And the vnder-trebille vnder the trebille.
- (1451) Lin.DDoc.50/22 : I will thar be gyfyn to the v nones..& to my ij cosyns nones in Stayn-feld & to dam Alys Bolman & to Ilkon of yam a pare bedys of gete &, of mony, trebull of almus that schall be gyfyn to odyr nones.
- (1475) RParl.6.121b : Oure Sovereigne Lord..ordeyneth..that he or they doo bryng it..to the receipt of the Kyng's Eschequer..uppon peyn of forfeiture of the treble of somoche as he so hath receyved or taken, and not payed.
b
- (a1432) Let.in Burton Hemingbrough383 : He is coversande wt all..of connyng sufficiante in redyng and sigynge of plane sange, and te synge a tribull til faburdun.
- (a1436) Let.in Burton Hemingbrough392 : He is a fair voside man for a tribull, and kan syng suffisandly for any quer.
- a1450(a1338) Mannyng Chron.Pt.1 (Lamb 131)11263 : Þer myghte men se fair samninge Of þo clerkes þat best couþe synge Wyþ treble mene & burdoun.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)265 : Þe plainsong sight is a 8te to þe treble & a 5te to þe mene.
- c1450 Swarte smekyd (Arun 292)18 : Þe mayster longith a lityl, and lascheth a lesse, Twyneth hem tweyn, and towchith a treble: Tik, tak! hic, hac! tiket, taket! tyk, tak!
- c1460 Vndir a park (Hrl 2255)6 : Vndir a park..herd I a melody of myght..Aungellys Exaltant, bothe lowde and hih, Tenours, trebelys, many a meene ther was; they sett ther song ful sapiently.
- c1475 Wisd.(Folg V.a.354)619 : A tenowr to yow bothe I brynge..And I a mene for ony kynge..And but a trebull I owtwrynge.
- a1500(a1460) Towneley Pl.(Hnt HM 1)122/187 : Lett me syng the tenory..And I the tryble so hye..Then the meyne fallys to me.
- a1500 Add.37075 Gloss (Add 37075)69/307a : Precentor: trebyll.
- a1500 Lydg.JHare (Voss Germ.Gall.Q.9)69 : Thyn orgons [nose] so hihe be-gynne to syng thi messe, With treble, mene, & tenor discordyng, as I gesse.
- a1500 PParv.(KC 8)501 : Treble of orgene songe [Hrl 221: Precentus].