n. & adj.
n. 1 the position in a sequence corresponding to that of the number 3 in the sequence 1-3. 2 something occupying this position. 3 each of three equal parts of a thing. 4 = third gear. 5 Mus. a an interval or chord spanning three consecutive notes in the diatonic scale (e.g. C to E). b a note separated from another by this interval. 6 a a place in the third class in an examination. b a person having this.
adj. that is the third. third-best adj. of third quality.
n. a thing in this category. third class the third-best group or category, esp. of hotel and train accommodation. third-class adj. 1 belonging to or travelling by the third class. 2 of lower quality; inferior.
adv. by the third class (travels third-class). third degree long and severe questioning esp. by police to obtain information or a confession. third-degree Med. denoting burns of the most severe kind, affecting lower layers of tissue. third eye 1 Hinduism & Buddhism the 'eye of insight' in the forehead of an image of a deity, esp. the god Siva. 2 the faculty of intuitive insight. third force a political group or party acting as a check on conflict between two opposing parties. third gear the third (and often next to highest) in a sequence of gears. third man 1 a fielder positioned near the boundary behind the slips. 2 this position. third part each of three equal parts into which a thing is or might be divided. third party 1 another party besides the two principals. 2 a bystander etc. third-party adj. (of insurance) covering damage or injury suffered by a person other than the insured. third person 1 = third party. 2 Gram. see PERSON. third-rate inferior; very poor in quality. third reading a third presentation of a bill to a legislative assembly, in the UK to debate committee reports and in the US to consider it for the last time. Third Reich see REICH. Third World (usu. prec. by the) the developing countries of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. thirdly adv.
[ OE third(d)a, thridda f. Gmc ]