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Word Central

third

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third

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 vehicle2 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

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