a. (sb.) [f. TRI- + L. ūnus one.] Three in one; constituting a trinity in unity. a. of the Godhead; also of heathen deities.
1635. Quarles, Embl., V. vii. 31. The Son and heir to heav’n’s Tri-une Jehove.
a. 1711. Ken, Hymns Festiv., Poet. Wks. 1721, I. 270. We firmly God Triune believe.
1832. I. Taylor, Saturday Even. (1834), 471. The economy of human Salvation has … signalised the distinction of the Triune Nature.
1904. Budge, 3rd & 4th Egypt. Rooms Brit. Mus., 82. A figure of … a singing woman of Amen-Rā, adoring the triune form of the sun-god.
b. gen. (often with allusion to a.).
1705. Penn, in Pa. Hist. Soc. Mem., X. 73. Humility, fear, and love are the triune qualities of a true Christian.
1867. Goldw. Smith, Three Eng. Statesmen (1882), 8. The triune despotism of the Privy Council, the Star-Chamber, the Court of High Commission.
1874. L. Morris, Ode Fair Spring Morning, 55. Youth, dawn, springtide, triune miracle!
c. Being three at a birth; ‘trin.’ rare–1.
1771. Stanhope (Durham) Par. Register Baptisms, 21 Dec. (MS.). Thomas, William, and George, triune sons of Thomas Thistlewaite.
B. sb. A being that is three in one; a group of three things united; a trinity in unity.
1605. Timme, Quersit., II. ii. 108. It hath pleased the omnipotent Creator to … showe himself a Unitrine or Triune.
a. 1711. Ken, Sion, Poet. Wks. 1721, IV. 363. The great Triune in Counsel far above.
1866. R. S. Candlish, 1st Ep. John, xlvi. 516. The ‘three in one’ unitedly, ‘the Triune.’
1879. G. Meredith, Egoist, I. v. 67. She had money and health and beauty, the triune of perfect starriness.
