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Glite Dictionary
👒 Three-cornered shape 🔺 Three-sided
tricornered

tricornered

7.3
Involving three people or groups in a disagreement
  • adjective
  • /ˈtraɪˌkɔrnərd/
translation icon : tripartito
  • The court case became a tricornered dispute involving the government, the corporation, and the local community.

Examples

  • A tricornered alliance formed between the companies to tackle the new market.

  • The debate was a tricornered affair between the three leading candidates.

  • The negotiations turned into a tricornered debate among the three leading candidates.

  • In a tricornered relationship, communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings.

  • The negotiations turned into a tricornered debate among the three leading candidates.

  • The court case became a tricornered dispute involving the government, the corporation, and the local community.

  • In a tricornered relationship, communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings.

Synonyms

three-way
vstricornered
24 3.9

Involving three people, groups or parts

is used more for disputes or contests than for casual actions
trilateral
vstricornered
5 7.4

Having three sides or involving three countries

is broader, applying to any three-sided contest or dispute
tripartite
vstricornered
  • Formal
3 7.9

Involving three groups working together

is more about contests or relationships than formal agreements
three-party
vstricornered
1 4.9

Involving three different people or groups who take part

is broader and covers any three-sided relationship, not only formal participants
three-cornered
vstricornered
5.0

Involving three people or groups

is used especially for contests or disputes rather than only general cases

Surface Forms

tricornered positive

Morphology

tricornered = cornered (semi-transparent) = tri + corner + ed

While the components are clear, the metaphorical use of 'corner' to represent parties or sides in a dispute may not be immediately obvious.

Etymology

Tricornered comes from the parts tri- meaning 'three' and corner meaning 'side', so think of a three-sided contest or agreement. That's why a tricornered dispute or alliance involves three parties or groups.