~ 1 [ tə:n ]
■ noun a seabird related to the gulls, typically smaller and more slender, with long pointed wings and a forked tail. [ S~a and other genera: many species.]
Origin
C17: of Scand. origin.
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~ 2 [ tə:n ]
■ noun rare a set of three.
Origin
ME: appar. from Fr. ~e , from L. ~i 'three at once, three each', from ter 'thrice'.