a. Obs. Also 6–7 triobular. [ad. med.L. triōbulār-is (Du Cange), f. L. triōbol-us: see prec. and -AR.] lit. Worth three obols; in use always fig., of little or no worth, vile, paltry, mean, contemptible. (Cf. twopenny-halfpenny.)
1585. T. Washington, trans. Nicholay’s Voy., Ep. Ded. Common men, (I meane not triobular mates) men I say, of base descent and linage.
1593. Abp. Bancroft, Daung. Posit., II. iii. 48. Railing pamphlets; many of them but triobolar chartals.
1647. Mayne, Serm. agst. False Proph., 11. It may pass currant amongst the Balladmongers for a triobolar Ballad.
Also † Triobolary (also -ulary) a. in same sense.
1644. Featley, Levites Scourge, 7. Libelled in all the triobulary pasquils printed the first and second weeke of October.
1653. Gauden, Hierasp., 504. There are many such whining people, penurious protestants, triobolary Christians.
1700. T. Brown, Amusem. Ser. & Com., 48. Seeing their Qualities ridicul’d by every Triobolary Poet.
