tertium quid

ter·ti·um quid

noun \ˌtər-shē-əm-ˈkwid, ˌtər-tē-\

Definition of TERTIUM QUID

1

: a middle course or an intermediate component <where there are two systems of law and two orders of courts, there must … be some tertium quid to deal with conflicts of law and jurisdiction — Ernest Baker>

2

: a third party of ambiguous status <there was a man and his wife and a tertium quid — Rudyard Kipling>

Origin of TERTIUM QUID

Late Latin, literally, third something; from its failing to fit into a dichotomy

First Known Use: circa 1724

Rhymes with TERTIUM QUID

Valladolid