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.
   • 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.12:

     And although we feele it not, it is not to bee doubted, if a continuall ague may in the end suppresse our mind, a tertian will also (according to her measure and proportion) breed some alteration in it.

   • 1819, Lord Byron, Don Juan, Canto 1:

     He died of the slow fever call'd the tertian, / And left his widow to her own aversion.

2. The puncheon, an old wine cask, three of which made a tun.

Anagrams

• intreat, iterant, natrite, nattier, nitrate