Main Entry: ¹third

Pronunciation: \ˈthərd\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English thridde, thirde, from Old English thridda, thirdda; akin to Latin tertius third, Greek tritos, treis three — more at three

Date: before 12th century

1 a : being next after the second in place or time <the third taxi in line> b : ranking next after the second of a grade or degree in authority or precedence <served as third mate> c : being the forward speed or gear next higher than second especially in a motor vehicle
2 a : being one of three equal parts into which something is divisible <a third share of the money> b : being the last in each group of three in a series <take out every third card>

— third or third·ly adverb