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From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Tripod \Tri"pod\, noun [L. tripus, -odis, Gr. ?; ? (see {Tri-}) + ?, ?, foot. See {Foot}, and cf. {Tripos}, {Trivet}.]
1. Any utensil or vessel, as a stool, table, altar, caldron, etc., supported on three feet.
Note: 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, usually jointed at top, for supporting a theodolite, compass, telescope, camera, or other instrument.
{Tripod of life}, or {Vital tripod} (Physiol.), the three organs, the heart, lungs, and brain; -- so called because their united action is necessary to the maintenance of life.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
tripod
noun: a three-legged rack used for support
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