third

I. adjective Etymology: Middle English thridde, thirde, from Old English thridda, thirdda; akin to Latin tertius third, Greek tritos, treis three — more at three Date: before 12th century 1. a. being next after the second in place or time <

the third taxi in line

> b. ranking next after the second of a grade or degree in authority or precedence <

served as third mate

> c. being the forward speed or gear next higher than second especially in a motor vehicle 2. a. being one of three equal parts into which something is divisible <

a third share of the money

> b. being the last in each group of three in a series <

take out every third card

> • third or thirdly adverb II. noun Date: 14th century 1. one of three equal parts of something <

a third of the pie

> 2. a. — see number table b. one that is next after second in rank, position, authority, or precedence <

the third in line

> 3. a. the musical interval embracing three diatonic degrees b. a tone at this interval; specifically mediant c. the harmonic combination of two tones a third apart 4. plural merchandise whose quality falls below the manufacturer's standard for seconds 5. third base 6. the third forward gear or speed especially of a motor vehicle