Word
trident
Phoneticstri·dent
US/ˈtɹaɪdənt/
UK/tɹˈaɪdənt/
Definition
n. a large spear with three sharp points. You often see it in pictures of the Greek god Poseidon or other sea characters.
n. a three-pronged spear or pole, historically used for spear fishing and as a weapon in gladiatorial combat. Frequently associated with maritime mythology and iconography.
Examples
“The statue of the sea god holds a golden trident.”
“In ancient Rome, the retiarius was a type of gladiator who fought using a net and a trident.”
“The national flag of Barbados features a broken trident, symbolizing a break from its colonial past while maintaining a connection to the sea.”
Examples
simple
“The statue of the sea god holds a golden trident.”
contextual
“In ancient Rome, the retiarius was a type of gladiator who fought using a net and a trident.”
complex
“The national flag of Barbados features a broken trident, symbolizing a break from its colonial past while maintaining a connection to the sea.”
Usage
Commonly used in mythological or historical contexts; rarely used to describe modern tools.
Etymology
PIE word *tréyes From Latin tridēns, from tri- (“three”) + dēns (“tooth”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/trident