trio
UK: ˈtriːəʊ | US: ˈtriːoʊ
n. a group or set of three people or things
n. (music) a composition for three performers
n. (music) the middle section of a minuet or scherzo
trio = tri<three> + o<noun suffix>
- tri (from Latin tres, meaning "three")
- o (a noun-forming suffix, often used in musical terms like "duo" or "quartet")
Etymology Origin:
The word "trio" originates from Italian, derived from the Latin tres (three). It entered English in the 18th century, primarily in musical contexts, to denote a group of three performers or a composition for three voices/instruments. The suffix "-o" is typical in Italian musical terminology, reflecting its Romance language roots. The logic is straightforward: "tri-" (three) + "-o" (noun suffix) = "a group of three."
The jazz band featured a talented trio of piano, bass, and drums.
Mozart’s piano trio in B-flat major is a masterpiece of classical music.
They formed a trio to compete in the singing competition.
The final movement of the sonata includes a lively trio section.
A trio of detectives solved the mysterious case.