Etymology
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trident (n.)

"three-pointed spear," mid-15c., from Latin noun use of adjective tridentem (nominative tridens) "three-pronged, three-toothed," from tri- "three" (see tri-) + dens "tooth" (from PIE root *dent- "tooth"). As a type of U.S. nuclear-powered submarine, recorded from 1972. Related: Tridental.

Entries linking to trident

tri- 
word-forming element meaning "three, having three, once every three," from Latin tres (neuter tria) or Greek treis, trias "three" (see three).
*dent- 

Proto-Indo-European root meaning "tooth."

It forms all or part of: al dente; dandelion; dental; dentifrice; dentist; dentition; denture; glyptodon; indent (v.1) "to make notches;" mastodon; orthodontia; periodontal; teethe; tooth; toothsome; tusk; trident.

It is the hypothetical source of/evidence for its existence is provided by: Sanskrit danta, Greek odontos (gen.), Latin dens, Lithuanian dantis, Old Irish det, Welsh dent, Old English toð, German Zahn, Gothic tunþus "tooth."

updated on May 11, 2017

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Definitions of trident from WordNet

trident (n.)
a spear with three prongs;
From wordnet.princeton.edu, not affiliated with etymonline.

Dictionary entries near trident

tricky

tricolor

tricot

tricuspid

tricycle

trident

tried

triennial

Trier

trifecta

trifid

© 2001-2022 Douglas Harper