triad
UK: ˈtraɪæd | US: ˈtraɪæd
n. a group or set of three connected people or things
n. (music) a chord of three notes consisting of a root, third, and fifth
n. (historical) a secret society, especially in China
The word "triad" originates from the Greek "trias" (meaning "three") via Late Latin "trias, triad-." The morpheme "tri" (three) is a common prefix in English (e.g., triangle, trilogy), while "-ad" functions as a noun-forming suffix, often indicating a group or collective (e.g., monad, dyad). The term evolved to describe groups of three in various contexts, from musical chords to organizational structures.
The triad of friends worked together on the project.
In music theory, a major triad consists of a root, major third, and perfect fifth.
The ancient Chinese triad was known for its strict codes.
The report highlighted a triad of factors influencing the outcome.
His research focused on the triad of mind, body, and spirit.