tɪəs 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]