a. Having three strings: usually of a musical instrument.

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1599.  Sandys, Europæ Spec. (1632), 145. The whole Realme … hath beene scourged with a three stringed whip, Warre, Ill-governement, and Injustice.

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1611.  Bible, 1 Sam. xviii. 6, margin. Three stringed instruments.

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1752.  Newton, Note Milton’s L’Allegro, 94. Rebeck is a three-stringed fiddle.

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1843.  Penny Cycl., XXVI. 346/1. Medals … representing Apollo playing on a three-stringed instrument.

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