Dictionary

tertian en · ADJ

Etymology

From Middle English tertiān, terciān, terciāne (adjective and noun), originally often as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum tertiānā. Compare the "third" essence of tertiary. By surface analysis, terti- + -an.

Meanings

1. (not-comparable, of a fever) Characterised by paroxysms recurring every other day (that is, every third day by inclusive reckoning).
2. (not-comparable) Pertaining to the mean-tone temperament, in which major thirds are perfectly in tune.

Forms

Coordinates

quotidian · quartan

Relateds

tertiary

tertian en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English tertiān, terciān, terciāne (adjective and noun), originally often as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum tertiānā. Compare the "third" essence of tertiary. By surface analysis, terti- + -an.

Meanings

1. A tertian fever.
   • And although we feele it not, it is not to bee doubted, if a continuall ague may in the end suppresse our mind, a tertian will also (according to her measure and proportion) breed some alteration in it. 1603, Michel de Montaigne, chapter 12, in John Florio, transl., The Essayes […], book II, London: […] Val[entine] Simmes for Edward Blount […], →OCLC:
   • He died of the slow fever call'd the tertian, / And left his widow to her own aversion. 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, Canto 1:
2. A cask of a certain size; its volume used as a measure of capacity (one-third of a tun's).
3. A Jesuit going through tertianship.

Forms

Coordinates

rundlet · tierce · barrel · pipe · tun · hogshead · butt

Deriveds

semitertian

Hypernyms

cask

Relateds

tertial · tercian · tertiary

Synonyms

puncheon