tercet

noun

ter·​cet ˈtər-sət 

: a unit or group of three lines of verse:

a

: one of the 3-line stanzas in terza rima

b

: one of the two groups of three lines forming the sestet in an Italian sonnet

Word History

Etymology

Italian terzetto, from diminutive of terzo third, from Latin tertius — more at third entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

tercet

noun

ter·​cet ˈtər-sət 

: a unit or group of three lines of verse