• Tertian

    Origin

    Originally Middle English as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum tertiana, from tertius ("third").

    Full definition of tertian

    Adjective

    tertian

    1. Of a fever, characterised by paroxysms every third day.
    2. (music) Pertaining to the mean-tone temperament, in which major thirds are perfectly in tune.

    Noun

    tertian

    (plural tertians)
    1. A tertian fever.
      • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12: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.
      • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, Canto 1:He died of the slow fever call'd the tertian,
        And left his widow to her own aversion.
    2. The puncheon, an old wine cask, three of which made a tun.
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