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ted at top, for supporting a theodolite, compass, telescope, camera, or other instrument. Tripod of life, or Vital tripod (Physiol.), the three organs, the heart, lungs, and brain; -- so called because their united action is necessary to the maintenance of life.

An ancient stringed instrument; -- so called because, in form, it resembled the Delphic tripod.

Three metrical feet taken together, or included in one measure.

arm or support on shipboard. -- Mountain barometer, a portable mercurial barometer with tripod support, and long scale, for measuring heights. -- Siphon barometer, a barometer having a tube bent like a hook with the longer leg closed at the top. The height of the mercury in the longer leg shows the pressure of the a…

A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.), having six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position in is placed.

building or column built by a victorious choragus for the reception and exhibition of the tripod which he received as a prize. Those of Lysicrates and Thrasyllus are still to be seen at Athens.

ass bar at the ends of which are standards with narrow slits for sighting, supported on a tripod by a ball and socket joint.

A lever mounted on a tripod for lifting stones, leveling up railroad ties, etc. Knight.

A machine for raising or moving heavy weights, consisting of a tripod formed of poles united at the top, with a windlass, pulleys, ropes, etc.

attached, and with suitable screws, etc., for accurate adjustment, the whole mounted on a tripod, for use in leveling; -- called also leveling instrument. -- Water level, an instrument to show the level by means the surface of water in a trough, or in upright tubes connected by a pipe.

tom, for penetrating the ground, and having a socket joint at the top, used, instead of a tripod, for supporting a compass. -- Staff angle (Arch.), a square rod of wood standing flush with the wall on each of its sides, at the external angles of plastering, to prevent their being damaged. -- The staff of life, bread.…

A tripod. [Obs.] Dryden.

or other support; especially, a stand to hold a kettle or similar vessel near the fire; a tripod. [Written also trevet.]

respecting the duration of life, and the circumstances affecting its duration. -- Vital tripod. (Physiol.) See under Tripod. -- Vital vessels (Bot.), a name for latex tubes, now disused. See Latex.