n. 1 Eccl. = TERCE. 2 Mus. an interval of two octaves and a major third. 3 a sequence of three cards. 4 Fencing a the third of eight parrying positions. b the corresponding thrust. 5 archaic a a former wine-measure of one-third of a pipe. b a cask containing a certain quantity (varying with the goods) esp. of provisions.
[ ME f. OF t(i)erce f. L tertia fem. of tertius third ]