Hendiatris (from the ,
hèn dià triôn, "one through three") is a
figure of speech used for emphasis, in which three words are used to express one idea. For example, the phrase
sex, drugs and rock'n'roll as used to capture the life of a rock star is of this form. If the units involved are not single words, and if they are not in any way synonyms but rather
circumnavigate the one idea expressed, the figure may be described more correctly, precisely, and succinctly as a triad. A
tripartite motto is the conventional English term for a motto, a slogan, or an advertising phrase in the form of a hendiatris. Perhaps equally well known throughout the world are
Julius Caesar's
Veni, vidi, vici (an example of a
tricolon) and the motto of the
French Republic:
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité; the phrase
Peace, Order and Good Government is used as a guiding principle in the parliaments of the
Commonwealth of Nations.