treble

Treble is a single noun, verb, and adjective with two sets of meanings not obviously related.

First, to treble something is to multiply it by three.

Treble damages in law means three times the nominal amount.

In British English, treble 5 is a way of saying “5-5-5” (in a phone number, for example).

Treble’s second meaning represents higher sounds, voices, and instruments in music, and is contrasted with bass.

The treble clef signifies that printed notes are to be played in the higher register of an instrument.