1. Any utensil or vessel, as a stool, table, altar, caldron, etc, supported on
three feet.
On such, a stool, in the
temple of Apollo at Delphi, the Pythian priestess
sat while giving responses to those consulting the Delphic oracle.
2. A three-legged
frame or stand, generally jointed at top, for supporting a theodolite, compass, telescope, camera, or another instrument.
Tripod of life, or Vital tripod, the three organs, the heart, lungs, and brain; so called because their united action is necessary to the maintenance of life.
Origin: L. Tripus, -odis, Gr.; (see Tri-) +, foot. See Foot, and cf. Tripos, Trivet.
Source: Websters Vocabulary