trivet

UK: /ˈtrɪvɪt/ US: /ˈtrɪvɪt/ ,(triv′it)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

triv•et¹ /ˈtrɪvɪt/   n. [countable]

1. a small metal or ceramic plate with short legs, used under a hot platter to protect a table.
2. a three-legged stand placed over a fire to support cooking vessels or the like.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

triv•et¹  (triv′it), n. 

1. a small metal plate with short legs, esp. one put under a hot platter or dish to protect a table.
2. a three-footed or three-legged stand or support, esp. one of iron placed over a fire to support cooking vessels or the like.

• late Middle English trevet, Old English trefet, apparently blend of, blended Old English thrifēte three-footed and Latin triped-, stem of tripēs three-footed (with Vulgar Latin -e- for Latin -i-) 1375–1425

triv•et²  (triv′it), n. 

1. Textiles a special knife for cutting pile loops, as of velvet or carpets.

Also, triv′ette. 

• origin, originally uncertain

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

trivet / ˈtrɪvɪt/ noun

1. a stand, usually three-legged and metal, on which cooking vessels are placed over a fire
2. a short metal stand on which hot dishes are placed on a table
3. as right as a trivet ⇒ in perfect health

Etymology: Old English trefet (influenced by Old English thrifēte having three feet), from Latin tripēs having three feet