tertian

English

Alternative forms

• tercian (historical)

Etymology

From Middle English tertiān, terciān, terciāne (adjective and noun), originally often as part of the collocation fever cum terciane, after Latin febris cum tertiānā.

Adjective

tertian (not comparable)

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

Noun

tertian (plural tertians)

1. A tertian fever.
   • Template:RQ:Florio Montaigne Essayes
   • 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, tainter, tartine