triphthong Meaning, Definition & Usage

Triph"thong noun

Etymology

Pref. tri- + -phthong, as in diphthong: cf. F. triphthonque.

Definitions

1. (Orthoëpy) A combination of three vowel sounds in a single syllable, forming a simple or compound sound; also, a union of three vowel characters, representing together a single sound; a trigraph; as, eye, -ieu in adieu, -eau in beau, are examples of triphthongs.