a. [ad. L. triformis, f. TRI- + forma FORM: cf. F. triforme (15th c. in Godef.), perh. the source in quot. c. 1450.]
1. Having a triple form; combining three different forms; formed or composed in three parts.
c. 1450. Mirour Saluacioun, 683. This temple of Salomon had on it pynacles thre Be whilk the triforme Auriole of marye takened may be.
1660. Stanley, Hist. Philos., IX. (1701), 379/2. Something which hath beginning, middle and end. To such a form and nature they attributed the number Three, saying, That whatsoever hath a middle is triform.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. v. 673. Centaurs, and Scyllas, and Chimæras,… mixtly boviform and hominiform, biform and triform animals.
1805–17. R. Jameson, Char. Min. (ed. 3), 202. A crystal is said to be … Bi-form, tri-form, when it contains a combination of two or three remarkable forms.
2. Existing or appearing in three different forms.
1623. Cockeram, Triforme, hauing three formes or fashions.
1667. Milton, P. L., III. 730. The neighbouring Moon … With borrowd light her countenance triform Hence fills and empties.
1678. Cudworth, Intell. Syst., I. iv. § 17. 304. Damascius … tells us … that Orpbeus introduced τρίμορφον θεὸν, a Triform Deity.
1684. T. Burnet, Th. Earth, I. 164. This epistle … taught that the heavens and the earth had chang’d their form, and would do so again…; so as the same world would be triform in success of time.
1742. trans. Algarotti on ‘Newton’s Theory,’ II. 161. Her triform Goddess we before admired.
1847. Leitch, trans. C. O. Müller’s Anc. Art, § 206. In the representation of the tri-form Hecate.
1867–77. G. F. Chambers, Astron., I. xii. 136. I [Galileo] have observed the most distant planet [Saturn] to be tri-form.
1879. H. W. Warren, Recr. Astron., viii. 169. Huyghens … solved the problem of the triform appearance of Saturn.
3. erron. Triangular.
1621. J. Taylor (Water P.), Superbiæ Flagellum, Wks. 34/2. That heights, depths, bredths, triforme, square, oval, round, And rules Geometricall in beards are found.
So Triformed, Triformous adjs. in same senses; Triformity (rare–0) [late L. triformitās (Claudian)], the quality of being triform.
1644. Digby, Nat. Bodies, xxiii. § 8. 212. That which is most watry, is fittest to fabricate the body … of the *triformed plant.
a. 1662. Heylin, Laud (1668), 368. Governed by a Tryformed Presbytery of Pastors, Elders, and Deacons.
a. 1739. Jarvis, Quix., I. IV. xliii. (1885), 242. O thou triformed luminary, bring me sweet tidings of her!
1816. G. S. Faber, Orig. Pagan Idol., I. 413. She [Sphinx] was likewise triformed, blending together in one figure a lion, a virgin, and a bird.
1727. Bailey, vol. II., *Triformity, the having three Forms or Shapes.
1841. Wilkinson, Mann. Egypt., Ser. II. I. xii. 232. The idea entertained by the Pagan Egyptians of a *‘triformous Deity,’… who assumed different names according to the triad under which he was represented.
