DH sign question

[justcarol67]

zanooda:
> 
> Thanks, that's a relief :-). But I must say that dictionaries confuse people then. Most of them, in addition to "shaped like a triangle", give definitions like "relating to, or involving three elements", "involving three persons, factions, units, or parts", "comprising three parts or elements; triple" and such. There was also an example of "triangular agreement", iirc. Anyway, if I understand you guys correctly, this is not common use of this word at all. So I was right to correct it, right :-)?
>
Carol responds:

Right. Those other meanings are figurative, as in a triangular (three-way) relationship. "Triangular sign" (or "rune") is a straightforward, literal description. The simplest meaning is usually the correct one.

IIRC, JKR is usually rather obvious when she uses metaphors or similes. I can't think of an instance off the top of my head where she's not either punning or exaggerating (feet as large as toboggans, for example).

Regarding dictionaries, you might want to go with the first meaning listed, which is usually the most common.

Carol, hoping she's not being repetitive