(~s)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
The ~ item in a series is the one that you count as number three.
I sleep on the ~ floor...
It was the ~ time one of his cars had gone up in flames...
ORD
2.
A ~ is one of three equal parts of something.
A ~ of the cost went into technology and services...
FRACTION
3.
You say ~ when you want to make a ~ point or give a ~ reason for something.
First, interest rates may take longer to fall than is hoped. Second, in real terms, lending may fall. Third, bad loans could wipe out much of any improvement.
= ~ly
ADV: ADV with cl (not last in cl)
4.
A ~ is the lowest honours degree that can be obtained from a British university.
N-COUNT: usu sing