tertian

English

Etymology

Originally Middle English as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum tertiana, from tertius (third).

Adjective

tertian (not comparable)

  1. Of a fever, characterised by paroxysms every third day.
  2. (music) Pertaining to the mean-tone temperament, in which major thirds are perfectly in tune.

Noun

tertian (plural tertians)

  1. A tertian fever.
  2. The puncheon, an old wine cask, three of which made a tun.

Anagrams

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