TRIP-lik-uht
/ˈtɹɪplɪkət/
triplicate is pronounced TRIP-lik-uht (/ˈtɹɪplɪkət/). Triplicate (noun or verb form) refers to creating, distributing, or producing three identical copies of something. It can describe a set of three duplicates or the act of making three copies. The term is often used in legal, administrative, or archival contexts where triplication ensures redundancy or verification.
Triplicate (noun or verb form) refers to creating, distributing, or producing three identical copies of something. It can describe a set of three duplicates or the act of making three copies. The term is often used in legal, administrative, or archival contexts where triplication ensures redundancy or verification.
"The contract will be sent in triplicate for signature by all parties."
"Researchers submitted triplicate samples to ensure accuracy of results."
"The form must be filled out in triplicate and mailed to three different departments."
Triplicate is pronounced /ˈtrɪ.plɪ.keɪt/. Stress is on the first syllable TRI-. The middle syllable is a short, unstressed -pli- (/plɪ/), and the final syllable is a long -cate (/keɪt/) with a silent e that indicates the /eɪ/ vowel. When saying quickly, ensure the sequence remains distinct: /ˈtrɪ/ + /plɪ/ + /keɪt/. Audio reference: try listening to well-enunciated entries on dictionaries or Forvo to confirm the /ɪ/ in the middle and the /eɪ/ in the final syllable.
Common mistakes include compressing the middle syllable to a weak schwa or merging the final -cate into a quick /t/ or /d/ sound, making it sound like 'trip-luh-kate' or 'trip-pli-kate' with a weak first vowel. Correction: keep the /plɪ/ sequence as a crisp, short vowel, and clearly separate the final /keɪt/ with a distinct long vowel and a clear /t/. Practice by isolating the three syllables: /ˈtrɪ/ /plɪ/ /keɪt/, then blend smoothly.
In US and UK, the initial /ˈtrɪ/ is similar, but clinicians note that rhoticity affects the surrounding vowels in connected speech. US often has a slightly more tense /ɪ/ in the first syllable, and UK speakers may produce a crisper /t/ at the start of the final syllable. Australian English tends to be non-rhotic like UK, with slightly broader ɪ vowel and a more open jaw position in the /keɪt/ sequence. Overall, the primary stress remains on the first syllable; vowels may shift subtly with accent.
The difficulty lies in balancing three syllables with two different vowel qualities in a row: the short /ɪ/ in /trɪ/ and the unstressed /plɪ/ before the long /keɪt/. The mouth must transition from a compact /tr/ closure to a light /pl/ together with a tense /keɪt/ glide. The sequence requires precise timing to avoid vowel reduction in the middle syllable and to maintain a clear final diphthong /eɪ/. Practice the three-syllable rhythm slowly, then accelerate.
One distinct feature is the presence of a clear, unstressed middle syllable /plɪ/, which can be reduced in rapid speech if not monitored. The final /keɪt/ includes a tight glide into a long vowel; ensuring the /eɪ/ remains distinct helps prevent a bland ending. You’ll also notice subtle mouth opening adjustments between /ɪ/ and /eɪ/ as you move through the syllables.
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US: vowels are slightly tenser in /ɪ/; rhotic linking may affect surrounding vowels in connected speech. UK: crisper /t/ release and less vowel reduction in formal speech; AU: broader /ɪ/ with a slightly open jaw for /eɪ/. Across accents, the first syllable carries primary stress; maintain clear /trɪ/ onset and distinct /plɪ/ before the elongated /eɪt/; use IPA cues to monitor mouth positions and vowel quality.
Triplicate comes from the Latin tri- meaning three and placare meaning to fold or fold up, ultimately evolving through Old French triplique into English. The earliest English attestation likely appeared in legal or administrative language to describe documents produced in sets of three. Over time, triplicate broadened beyond legal contexts to any situation requiring three identical copies, including manufacturing records, medical forms, and scientific samples. The form triplicate preserves a sense of ritualized redundancy: each copy stands as a complete, independent version. The root tri- remains a productive prefix in English for “three,” paired with -plicate or -plic (from Latin plico, meaning to fold or twist), which emphasizes the action of duplicating or folding a document into multiple versions. The concept of having three copies became standard in bureaucratic practice, reinforcing accountability and traceability across domains. The term has retained its precise nomenclature in legal, government, and archival settings, even as the general language around duplication and copying has evolved with digital technologies.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "triplicate" and can often be used interchangeably.
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Words that rhyme with "triplicate"
-mit sounds
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