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
- Of a fever, characterised by paroxysms every third day.
- (music) Pertaining to the mean-tone temperament, in which major thirds are perfectly in tune.
Noun
tertian
(plural tertians)- 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. - The puncheon, an old wine cask, three of which made a tun.