What adjective means “having three parts”?

Question

In math there's ternary and trinary for expressing arity. Christian dogma reserves the trinity. Trial, too, is loaded with other significance. Tertiary means “the third” or “in third place.” Triangular is geometric, not mereological.

Example:

Someone suggested to me that subjectivity had three parts.
Someone suggested me that subjectivity was <having three parts>.

Related: Alternative (short) way of saying “a three-pronged approach to X” — herisson, Jan 01 '17 at 22:01
@nebuch What's wrong with tripartite? It was the word that immediately sprang to my mind when I read the title, and even more so the question; and it doesn't ring of the Axis’ Tripartite Pact to me at all—perhaps mainly because I've never heard of it. If there's something particular about tripartite you feel makes it inadequate as an answer you should include that in the question. — Janus Bahs Jacquet, Jan 01 '17 at 23:08

nebuch · Answer 1 · 2017-01-01T23:19:08.410

Tripartite works, though it rings of the Tripartite Pact.

Merriam-Webster gives the following definition:

1 : divided into or composed of three parts
2 : having three corresponding parts or copies
3 : made between or involving three parties <a tripartite treaty>

The Tripartite Pact was the treaty that bound the Axis together in World War II. This causes tripartite to connote fascism. Needless to say, victor’s history makes this a very negative connotation. In contexts outside of history and politics, and especially in technical ones, the word is overall less connotative.

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 02 '19 at 10:29

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Trilateral is the answer I found. I was wondering for the same thing.

answered Sep 02 '19 at 10:29

Bunjom Wang

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DO you have a reference to support this answer? – Peter Jennings Sep 02 '19 at 11:14

What adjective means “having three parts”?

2 Answers2