trident

[ trahyd-nt ]

noun

1. a three-pronged instrument or weapon.
2. Roman History. a three-pronged spear used by a retiarius in gladiatorial combats.
3. Classical Mythology. the three-pronged spear forming a characteristic attribute of the sea god Poseidon, or Neptune.
4. a fish spear having three prongs.
5. Trident, Military. a 34-foot (10-meter) submarine-launched U.S. ballistic missile with eight to ten warheads and a range of 6,500 miles (10,459 km).

adjective

1. Also tri·den·tal [] having three prongs or tines.

Trident

¹

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a type of US submarine-launched ballistic missile with independently targetable warheads

trident

²

/ ˈtraɪdənt /

noun

1. a three-pronged spear, originally from the East
2. (in Greek and Roman mythology) the three-pronged spear that the sea god Poseidon (Neptune) is represented as carrying
3. a three-pronged instrument, weapon, or symbol

adjective

1. having three prongs

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin trident- (stem of tridēns ) “having three teeth”; tri-, dent ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of trident¹

C16: from Latin tridēns three-pronged, from tri- + dēns tooth

Example Sentences

In January 2008, Mullaney formed Trident Financial Holdings & Acquisitions, LLC.

From The Daily Beast

But Clegg was effective with his specific and repeated call to cut the budget for the Trident nuclear-submarine program.

From The Daily Beast

This god of the sea, who is somewhat like the Roman Neptune, carried a lightning trident and caused earthquakes.

From Project Gutenberg

He is represented in art as bearing the trident, and surrounded by his attendants and the inhabitants of the sea.

From Project Gutenberg

If he wishes a storm, he strikes upon the waves with his trident, and calls the winds, and the huge billows threaten the clouds.

From Project Gutenberg

Neptune struck the ground with his trident, and there sprang forth a horse, strong and noble.

From Project Gutenberg

Neptune with his trident had just produced the horse, that animal so strong and so useful to man.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bayonet
• blade
• dart
• harpoon
• skewer