Triton noun¹. ['trʌɪt(ǝ)n] In sense 2 also triton. L16.
[Latin from Greek Tritōn a minor sea-god, son of Poseidon and Amphitrite in Greek mythol.; in sense 2 from former uses as mod. Latin genus name.]
1. Classical Mythology. A mythical semi-human sea-monster; a merman. L16.
b. fig. A person making their living from or otherwise connected with the sea. L16.
c. A representation of a Triton; esp. in Heraldry, a charge representing a Triton, usu. depicted as a man with a fish's tail carrying a trident and shell-trumpet. E17.

2. Zoology.
a. A tropical marine gastropod of the family Cymatiidae; the pointed spiral shell of such a gastropod, often strongly marked or sculpted. Also Triton shell. L18.
b. A newt. M19.

3. Chemistry. (Proprietary name for) any of various synthetic organic surfactants used in detergents and emulsifiers. M20.

■ Tritoness noun (rare) a female Triton E17.

■ Tritonly adverb (rare) like or in the manner of a Triton L16.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲

triton noun². ['trʌɪtɒn] M20.
[from TRITIUM + -ON.]
Physics. A subatomic particle composed of one proton and two neutrons, the nucleus of the tritium atom.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲