ETYM Probably through French from Latin tripes, -edis, three-footed; tri- (see Tri-) + pes, pedis, foot: cf. French trépied. Related to Foot, Tripod.
1. A stand with short feet used under a hot dish on a table.
2. A three-legged metal stand for supporting a cooking vessel in a hearth.
Tripod for a pot; metal plate to raise food from heat.