ter·ti·um quid
| \ ˌtər-shē-əm-ˈkwid
, ˌtər-tē- \
, 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
Learn More About tertium quid
Statistics for tertium quid
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Tertium quid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tertium%20quid. Accessed 3 Jul. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Words Named After People
-
- Namesake of the leotard, Jules Léotard had what profession?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Brand Name Vocabulary Quiz
You’re gonna need some moxie to ace this quiz
Take the quiz
-
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
Take the quiz
-
True or False?
Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something a...
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share tertium quid
Time Traveler for tertium quid
The first known use of tertium quid was circa 1724
See more words from the same year