trey (e as a), treye

[O. Fr. trei, treis: Fr. trois, from Lat. tres =three.) A three at cards or dice; a card of three spots. "Nay then, two treys, an if you grow so nice." Shakesp.: Love's Labor's Lost, v. 2. tri-, pref. [Fr. & Lat. tri -three times, from Lat. tri a , neut. of tres =three; Gr. tri , from tri a , neut. of treis =three.] 1. Ord. Lang.: A prefix used with words of Greek and Latin origin, denoting three, threefold, thrice, or in threes. 2. Chem.: A prefix denoting that a compound contains three atoms or three radicals of the substance to which it is prefixed; thus trichloride of bismuth, BiCl3; trioxide of antimony, Sb2O3; triethylamine, (C2H5)3N.