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trident

1. A kind of scepter or spear with three prongs, the common attribute of neptune.

2. A three-pronged spear or goad, used for urging horses; also, the weapon used by one class of gladiators.

3. A three-pronged fish spear.

4. (Science: geometry) A curve of third order, having three infinite branches in the direction and a fourth infinite branch in the opposite direction.

(Science: zoology) Trident bat, an Asiatic rhinolophid bat (Triaenops Persicus), having the nose membrane in the shape of a trident.

Origin: L. Tridens, -entis; tri- (see Tri-) _ dens tooth: cf. F. Trident. See Tooth.