a. [ad. late L. subtriplus: see SUB- 10 and TRIPLE a.]
1. Math. That is one third of a quantity or number; denoting a proportion of 1 to 3; (of a ratio) of which the antecedent is one-third of the consequent.
1644. Digby, Nat. Bodies, viii. § 6. 60. Which must be in subtriple proportion of the diameter of the sunne to the diameter of the great orbe.
a. 1696. Scarburgh, Euclid (1705), 180. As 13 to 4 inverted, is 4 to 13 viz Subtriple sesquiquartal.
1719. Quincy, Compl. Disp., 14. The Proportion of White Lead to Lead itself comes out still less, i. e. sub-triple.
1728. Chambers, Cycl.
2. Sub-triple Spot, a moth (see quot.).
1832. J. Rennie, Butterfl. & M., 179. The Sub-triple Spot (Paramesia subtripunctulana).